caracalla 188

[scacchi]

The Roman emperor Caracalla was born ‪on this day in AD 188. This large bronze coin was minted at the Greek city of Cyzicus (Belkis in modern north-western Turkey) to provide small change for the local community. In common with the rest of the eastern parts of the Roman Empire this community spoke Greek. At this point of time it had developed into a form known as koine (the 'common' language). This Greco-Roman cultural mix is reflected in this coin, which looks Roman in style and displays an image of the emperor, but has Greek text. Caracalla is vividly depicted dressed in armour and carrying a spear.

This particular example has a Christogram (a monogram of Christ) scratched just behind the bust. This could have been added at any time during the 3rd century, until this type of coin dropped out of use in the 270s. The maker of this mark was a Christian living at a time when it was very dangerous to follow such a faith. To the pagan inhabitants of the Roman world, the image of the emperor was a sacred object, even when on a coin

Modificato 4 Aprile, 2016 da scacchi