Women in the Empires & Kingdoms – The Royal Ladies on Ancient Greek & Roman Coins

Women portrayed on coins, the empresses, queens and divas on the historical coins of ancient Greece and Rome

The ancient times were populated with many royal rulers. Many people do not even look at the power behind the throne was actually, many times, a woman. Some of the ones that capture the imagination being Queen Cleoptra VII of Egypt, lover to both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and mother to their children. Without the role of women in history, we are missing fifty percent of the historical context or more. Many of the coins these women issued are still available for our collecting pleasure. The goal of this guide is to give you a list of just some of the women portrayed on coins of the ancient times. You can click on the name of each of the women on this list and easily search my eBay coin store to see her ancient coins available for sale and learn more about each. You may want to also visit the ancient Roman coin collecting guide which has a chronological list of the emperors and empresses of the Roman empire.

1. Cleopatra, anything related to her name, there being several Cleopatras in history, one of them being the lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony
2. Livia Drusilla wife of Augustus
3. Agrippina Jr., wife of Claudius, mother of Nero
4. Poppaea, wife of Nero – Roman Emperor: 54-68 A.D.
5. Domitia, wife of Domitian
6. Faustina I Roman Empress and wife of Antoninus Pius
7. Faustina II Roman Empress Marcus Aurelius wife and mother of Commodus
8. Lucilla, Roman empress, wife of Lucius Verus
9. Crispina, wife of emperor Commodus
10. Julia Domna Roman Empress 193-217 A.D.
11. Plautilla, Empress wife of emperor Caracalla
12. Julia Soaemias – Roman Empress Mother of Elagabalus, Roman Emperor 218-222 A.D.
13. Julia Paula – Roman Empress & First wife of Emperor Elagabalus
14. Julia Maesa – Grandmother of Roman Emperors Elagbalus & Severus Alexander
15. Julia Mamaea Roman Empress Severus Alexander mother
16. Tranquillina, Roman Empress wife of Gordian III
17. Herennia Etruscilla Roman Empress wife of Trajan Decius
18. Salonina – Roman Empress Wife of Gallienus
19. Severina, wife of Aurelian – Roman Emperor 270-275 A.D
20. Galeria Valeria Roman Empress wife of Galerius 308-311 A.D.
21. Saint Helena Roman Empress Mother of Constantine the Great
22. Fausta, Roman empress wife of Constantine I the Great
23. Aelia Flacilla Roman Empress Theodosius I Wife 379-385 A.D.
24. Eudoxia – Roman Empress wife of Arcadius
25. Sophia, wife of Justin II – Byzantine Emperor: 565-578 A.D.
26. Eudocia, wife of Constantine X – Byzantine Emperor 1059-1067 A.D.

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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond.

Fire Signal Beacons depicted as the Turrets on Camp Gates of Ancient Roman Coins

How the Romans controlled a vast empire through outposts on their frontiers using fire signals to marshal their forces

Examples of ancient Roman camp gates from the period of Constantine I featuring 2-4 turrets

A recent interpretation or meaning has come about that the turrets on fourth century camp gates were actually a sort of a signal beacon, using fires to send messages. Most ancient Roman coins depicting the camp gate featured the inscription PROVIDENTIAE AVG or PROVIDENTIAE CAES. The root of the word providentia is provideo which means foresight.  Providentia being the quality of the emperor caring for his people with an aspect of it, looking out for the security of the frontier. As the ancient Roman coins were used by the Roman emperors as propaganda pieces, it is likely the message it communicated the people were safe from invasions. During this time period, protection of the frontier would have been an important issue for the empire.

The fire signal was used since the time of the Greeks, so it is likely that these coins actually were a way of saying that he had improved it and made it more effective. One of the most famous examples of the fire signal being used was during the American Revolution by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his famous poem Paul Revere’s ride. “One if by land two if by sea”. This helped Paul Revere to receive the signal and raise everyone of to arms.

It was the author Polybius, who lived circa 200-118 B.C., that informs us that Philip V, the king of Macedon was being kept informed of what happened in Phocis and Boeotia by fire signal. And Julius Caesar was informed by fire signal about the movement of Pompey the Great’s troops during the civil war.

Polybius described two systems of using the fire signal. One was having two vessels of water of the same size and the same sized hole in them. At each level of water was a specific agreed-upon message. So when the torch was raised, the other tower would open the cork and was then given the signal to stop the water at the specific message. This would have been useful system and efficient with practice, however it could not send unforeseen messages. So Polybius describes a system which he claims to have refined using two sets of five torches, dividing the alphabet into five parts. So for the first letter one torch on the left would be lifted, and one torch on the right. For letter number six, two torches on the left and one on the right and so forth.

The ancient author Polybius writes:

“I don’t think I can continue without a full discussion of fire signaling, which is now of the greatest military value, but which used to have major shortcomings. Timing is obviously important for success in any matter; but especially in war, and fire signals are the most efficient means of helping us. They can tell us what has only just happened or even what is currently happening and, with them, anyone who wishes can be kept informed even at a range of three, four, or more day’s travel. Help can thus be summoned by signal surprisingly quickly when needed. At one time, fire signals were just beacons, and so were frequently of only limited use to their users. For they could only be used for pre-arranged signals and as real events are unpredictable, they could generally not be communicated by fire-signals. If we take the example I have just mentioned [Philip V ], one could send news that a fleet had arrived at Oreus, Peparethus or Chalcis, once one had arranged the relevant signals, but once could still not use fire signals to say that some of the inhabitants had changed sides, or been guilty of treachery, or that a massacre had happened in the town, or anything else of this nature. This sort of thing happens often but cannot be anticipated and it is generally the unexpected events, which demand fast decisions and responses. yet it was here the earlier system broke down, because it is impossible to agree on a signal for what one cannot foresee.”

Another ancient author Julius Africanus from 220-245 A.D., describes how a fire signal was sent in his work the Kestoi:

“The Romans have the following technique, which seems to me to be amazing. If they want to communicate something by fire signal, they make the signals so: they select places that are suitable for making fire signals. They divide the fires into a right, a left and a middle fire so they read alpha to theta from the left-hand one, iota to pi from the middle one and rho to omega from the right-hand fire. If they signal alpha, they raise up the fire signal on the left once, for beta twice and for gamma three times. If they signal iota they raise the middle fire once, for kappa twice and for lambda thrice, and if they want to signal rho, sigma or tau, they raise the right-hand signal once, twice or three times. In this way should you want to signal rho you do not need to raise hundreds of fire signals, but, only one with the right-hand torch. Those who receive the signals then de-code them in the same way, or pass them on to the next station.”

The system that this ancient author describes would work well with either the Greek or Roman alphabet as both have 24 letters. This description fits the three-turreted camp gate precisely. So it would be easy to adapt this fire signal to 2, turrets by having each beacon being 12 letters, 3 being 8 letters, and 4 being 6 letters each.

The ancient description that we saw is a simple rudimentary understanding of it. As this technology had obviously undergone many great adjustments. And this being a highly sensitive technology for the Roman army, the exact codes would have been kept a closely-guarded secret. It is possible that they may have also developed signal of a type similar to the modern Morse code for an even more efficient communication system.

Own the coin types shown in this article:

I have an ancient coin store on eBay where I have thousands available for sale:

• Click here to see all the CAMP GATE coins available for sale

• 2 Turret Camp Gate Coins | 3 Turret Camp Gate Coins | 4 Turret Camp Gate Coins

See also:

• Ancient Greek and Roman MILITARY on COINS The Weapons, Battles & Symbols

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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond.

List of GODS & GODDESSES on Ancient Greek & Roman Coins
including the Deities and Mythical Characters to Collect

A world of mystery, intrigue and fantasy awaits. See the various gods, goddesses, and mythical deities and characters available to collect on ancient Greek and Roman coins. Transport yourself to the ancient past, explore the unexplored and collect authentic ancient coins of those various deities. This article was intended to expand on various ideas for a coin collector and a fantastic coin collection. By clicking on the links below, you will search my eBay store for specific examples of these these gods that I have available on coins. The goal is for you to have an easy-to-use guide, which allows you to view the different types of coins easily and quickly. Below is a link to download this article in PDF format to your computer, which will allow you to come back to this info in the future, or if you print it out, you can always find this article again online via the link: https://www.trustedancientcoins.com/list-of-gods/

1. Zeus on Ancient Greek Coins | Jupiter, his Roman Equivalent Ancient Coins
2. Hercules on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
3. Ares on Ancient Greek Coins | Mars, his Roman Equivalent Ancient Coins | Virtus, the god of valor, often depicted like Mars or Ares on ancient Roman Coins
4. Nymph the Ancient Greek Deity depicted on Greek and Roman coins
5. Felicitas the Ancient Roman goddess of luck | Fortuna the Ancient Roman goddess of luck | Tyche the Ancient Greek goddess of luck – Luck goddesses.
6. Hera on Ancient Greek Coins | Juno the Ancient Roman Goddess on Coins
7. Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory ancient coins | Victory the Ancient Roman Goddess of Victory – Both I believe to be the ancient depictions of what later was known to be angels.
8. Apollo on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins, the god of music, healing and light (sun)
9. Helios, the sun god, on Ancient Greek Coins | Sol, the sun god, on Ancient Roman Coins
10. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt on Ancient Greek Coins | Diana, the goddess of the hunt on Ancient Roman Coins
11. Aphrodite, the goddess of love on Ancient Greek Coins | Venus, the goddess of love on Ancient Roman Coins
12. Spes, the goddess of hope on ancient Roman coins | Elpis, the goddess of hope on ancient Greek coins
13. Laetitia, the goddess of happiness on ancient Roman coins
14. Isis, the originally ancient Egyptian goddess on ancient Roman and Greek coins
15. Athena the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom on coins | Minerva the ancient Roman goddess of wisdom on coins
16. Concordia, goddess of agreement in marriage and society on ancient Roman Coins
17. Aequitas on ancient Roman Coins – Aequitas is the nominative form of the Latin æquitatem, meaning justice, equality, conformity, symmetry, or fairness, and is the source of the modern word “equity”.
18. Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice on ancient Roman Coins
19. Eros, the primordial god of sexual love and beauty on Ancient Greek Coins | Cupid, the primordial god of sexual love and beauty on Ancient Roman Coins
20. Libertas, the god of liberty on ancient Roman coins
21. Pietas, the god of piety on ancient Roman coins
22. Vesta on ancient Roman coins – Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman religion.
23. Genius on ancient Roman coins – In ancient Roman religion, the genius was the individual instance of a general divine nature that is present in every individual person, place, or thing.
24. Demeter on ancient Greek coins | Ceres on ancient Roman coins | Annona on ancient Roman coins – Goddesses that are depicted in connection with the harvest.
25. Asclepius the Ancient Greek and Roman god of medicine
26. Hygeia on Ancient Greek and Roman coins – Hygieia, or Hygeia, was a daughter of the god of medicine, Asclepius. She was the goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation and afterwards, the moon.
27. Salus on Ancient Roman coins – Salus (Health) a Goddess of the Romans, the same that was worshipped under the name of Hygiea by the Greeks, who feigned her to be the daughter of Asclepius and of Minerva.
28. Telesphorus on Ancient Greek and Roman coins –  In Greek mythology, Telesphorus (or Telesphoros; Τελεσφόρος) was a son of Asclepius. He frequently accompanied his sister, Hygieia. He was a dwarf whose head was always coveredwith a hood or cap. He symbolized recovery from illness, as his name means “the accomplisher” or “bringer of completion” in Greek.
29. Persephone on Ancient Greek and Roman coins | Kore on Ancient Greek and Roman coins – In Greek mythology, Persephone also called Kore (the maiden) is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld.
30. Priapus on Ancient Greek and Roman coins – In Greek mythology, Priapos (Ancient Greek: Πρίαπος), Latinized as Priapus, was a minor rustic fertility god, protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens and male genitalia. His Roman equivalent was Mutunus Tutunus. He was best noted for his huge, permanent erection, which gave rise to the medical term priapism.
31. Poseidon on Ancient Greek and Roman coins | Neptune on Ancient Roman coins – Poseidon was the god of the sea, and, as “Earth-Shaker,” of earthquakes in Greek mythology. Neptune (Latin: Neptūnus) was the god of water and the sea in Roman mythology and religion.
32. Pax, the goddess of peace on Ancient Roman coins | Eirene, the goddess of peace on Ancient Roman coins
33. Janus the Ancient Roman God of Beginnings and Endings, doors and name behind our month January
34. Abundantia, the ancient Roman goddess – Abundantia was the Roman goddess of good fortune, abundance and prosperity.
35. Hermes, Greek god of commerce | Mercury, the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Hermes
36. Three Graces, also known as the Charites on ancient Greek and Roman coins
37. River Gods on Ancient Greek and Roman coins
38. Kronos, the ancient Greek time god

See also:

• Mythical Creatures on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins Guide
• Animals on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins

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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond.

Animals on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins

A list of the different animals that have appeared on ancient Greek and Roman coins

Wild, exotic animals, available throughout the ancient Greek and Roman empires were revered and even struck on their coins. Animals such as antelopes, lions and elephants were brought to amphitheaters, the most famous being the Colosseum and for use in various entertainments. Many Roman legions used animals as a symbol for their legions. Just like we have zoos in modern times, the ancients too were fascinated by the exotic beauty and even possible danger these animals presented. The ancient Greeks and Romans put animals on their coins and are a very interesting topic in themselves to collect, especially for animal lovers. The goal of this guide is to help you know the type of animals on coins and make it easy to put together a collection from my eBay ancient coin store, which has thousands of coins available. You can click on each of the links below and see the examples I have available for sale. A world of intrigue, wonder and amazement awaits you as you explore this fascinating topic …

1. Horse on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
2. Bull on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
3. Cow on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
4. Calf on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
5. Ox on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
6. Boar “pig” on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
7. Pig on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
8. Lion on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
9. Panther on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
10. Eagle on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
11. Owl on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
12. Peacock on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
13. Dove on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
14. Rooster on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
15. Chicken on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
16. Rooster on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
17. Rabbit on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
18. Hare on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
19. Ram on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
20. Wolf on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
21. Dog on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
22. Hound on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
23. Camel on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
24. Stag another word for deer on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
25. Bee another word for deer on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
26. Antelope another word for deer on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
27. Elephant on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
28. Snake on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
29. Serpent on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
30. Fish on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
31. Crayfish on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
32. Shell on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
33. Crab on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
34. Turtle on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
35. Dolphin on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
36. Octopus on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins
37. Scorpion on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins

See also for mythical creatures:

• Mythical Creatures on Ancient Greek and Roman Coins

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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond.

Most Interesting Ancient Coins to Buy for a Collection, Investment and Pleasure

Top 10 List of Well-Known Personalities of Ancient Greece and Rome with numismatic Coins for Sale on eBay, Reasonably Priced

This guide is designed to introduce you to just 10 different topics of interest for collecting and possibly even as alternative investing ideas. These are well known personalities of the ancient past that people will likely appreciate in the future, giving you well-known, historically significant types that could be some of the most valued coins by collectors in the future. Also, a lot of the coins given here, although having rare types, are quite plentiful, and eeasily found in my eBay store. You can also learn about the different ancient coins with many educational videos about coins on my Youtube channel.

#1 Alexander the Great Coins – His coins are just fantastic to own and collect because even though thousands of years have passed, his name is known by more people than ever before with great films and books about his life and conquests.

#2 Constantine the Great Coins – Also known as Christian saint or Saint Constantine. His coins are very affordable to own and can be as low as twenty dollars.

#3 Saint Helena Roman Empress Mother of Constantine the Great – Very influential woman in early Christianity.

#4 Jesus Christ Coins and Coins Connected with Him – Early Roman coins did not depict the image of Christ, but did depict things associated with him such as the Chi-Rho, cross, and phoenix.

#5 Philip II ancient Greek coins connected with Olympic Games Victory – Very interesting and affordable ancient Greek coins associated with the ancient Olympic games.

#6 Roman Republic Coins – This is an interesting time period, before Rome turned into an empire and had dictators, and has a lot of interesting symbolism to the Roman Republic and it’s virtues.

#7 Julius Caesar coins – These coins are always great to own because of the name and are a great coin if you ever need to resell it because of it’s popularity.

 
#8 Athens Attica Greece ancient Greek coins – Probably the most famous ancient Greek city, and her coins are fascinating.

#9 Augustus first Roman emperor coins – Very interesting emperor, whom actually had a period of peace called “Pax Romana” and issued many coins, making them very affordable.

#10 Marcus Aurelius coins – The very famous emperor, known for his writings and depicted in the movie Gladiator, his coins being quite popular.

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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond.