Author
John Jacobs
Bio: John Jacobs is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Reign. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 3 citations.
Topics: Reign
Papers
More filters
Journal Article•
4 citations
Cited by
More filters
TL;DR: The significance of Libertas, the personification of the concept of libertas (liberty), on the Roman imperial coinage is typically interpreted as a retort to a maligned predecessor and as communicating a more constitutional mode of governance that includes cooperation with the senate as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The significance of Libertas, the personification of the concept of libertas (liberty), on the Roman imperial coinage is typically interpreted as a retort to a maligned predecessor and as communicating a more constitutional mode of governance that includes cooperation with the senate (libertas senatoria). Indeed, Libertas often appears on the coinage when there is much contemporary political rhetoric about libertas in the immediate aftermath of the death of an emperor deemed to have been a tyrant, such as Caligula, Nero, and Domitian. Nonetheless, literary texts suggest that libertas need not refer exclusively to political freedoms or freedom from tyranny but could also be used in the context of freedom from financial burdens, especially taxes. Legends on some coins of Caligula and Galba explicitly connect the Libertas personification with freedom from taxes and customs duties. Libertas appears on the coins of Trajan and Hadrian, neither of whom succeeded maligned predecessors, and, as she does so only in specific years after their principates had commenced, her appearance may be linked with certain historical events. The presence of Libertas on the coinage of these emperors coincided with the forgiveness of tax debts and other coins marking the alimenta program, which provided financial support for the upbringing and feeding of the children of Italy.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the number of cylinder seals and coins sold on the Internet has increased steadily since 2011, reaching a peak in 2016-17, and that the trade in Iraqi and Syrian antiquities has shifted from big-ticket items sold in traditional brick-and-mortar shops to small items readily available on the internet for modest prices.
Abstract: Discussions about looted antiquities often focus on large, culturally and monetarily valuable items. Nevertheless, it is clear that mundane small finds, which sell for relatively small amounts, account for a large portion of the global market in antiquities. This article highlights two types of small artifacts—namely, cylinder seals and coins, presumed to come from Syria and Iraq and offered for sale by online vendors. We argue that the number of cylinder seals and coins sold on the Internet has increased steadily since 2011, reaching a peak in 2016–17. This shows that the trade in Iraqi and Syrian antiquities has shifted from big-ticket items sold in traditional brick-and-mortar shops to small items readily available on the Internet for modest prices. The continuing growth of the online market in antiquities is having a devastating effect on the archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria as increasing demand fuels further looting in the region.
10 citations
TL;DR: The role of Roman emperors as supreme commanders of the armies, highest priests and the ultimate source of law and justice was made clear to the inhabitants of the empire from the reign of Augustus onwards through a variety of media as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Roman emperors were at the pinnacle of society. They were supreme commanders of the armies, the highest priests and the ultimate source of law and justice. These three roles were made clear to the inhabitants of the empire from the reign of Augustus onwards through a variety of media. Public ceremonies showed emperors leaving the city for campaigns, and returning in triumph, at sacrifice, or sitting in judgement. Inscriptions likewise indicated the main roles of emperors through titulature or narrative. The military and the religious leadership of emperors were also made abundantly clear through public monuments and on centrally issued coinage. Yet, throughout Roman imperial history these last two types of source material are surprisingly silent on the emperors’ legal role.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used a Flavian aureus type depicting the aedes Vestae to explore both the ideological and the practical aspects of using coinage to propagate a dynasty.
Abstract: This paper uses a Flavian aureus type depicting the aedes Vestae to explore both the ideological and the practical aspects of using coinage to propagate a dynasty. Firstly, we analyse the type from an iconographic perspective and argue that it should not be understood as a simple referent to the building itself, but rather as a complex interplay of different semantic units, intended to convey messages of dynastic harmony and security. Secondly, we use a die study to reconstruct the minting process and use our findings to elucidate the transformation of Roman coin production during the Flavian period. Taken together, the two parts of the paper demonstrate both the importance and the pay-offs of studying Roman coinage holistically, that is, with an integrated approach that combines iconographic and technical analysis. A catalogue of coins considered in the die study is provided as an appendix.