Art Institute of Chicago

Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Empress Marcia Otacilia Severa

Roman

Date: 248, issued by Emperor Philip the Arab
Medium: Silver
Culture: Rome
Department: Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays a bust of Otacilia Severa diademed and facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts a hippopotomus to the right. This coin was issued to commemorate the Roman Millennium. The lavish birthday celebration featured one thousand gladiators who fought to the death and thousands of exotic animals like this hippopotamus, native to Egypt. Supplying the Romans with African animals for the games was a flourishing business.

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