Leaderboard

I am not a coin collector. Nevertheless, I enjoy the history I can learn from coins. Part of the success and relative stability that Ancient Rome achieved over a vast and diverse empire could be attributed to the Empire's willingness to tolerate and even foster local traditions and beliefs (provided one showed proper deference and respect to the Empire and Emperor, of course). This is an interesting coin with the image of Mount Argaeus on the reverse that reflects that concept. This is a coin of the Emperor Commodus made in Cappadocia (Central Turkey). On the reverse of the coin is an image of Mount Argaeus, which was held in special esteem and mythology by the local population. (Similarly, coins of provincial Egypt could show an image of Serapis, a god unique to Ancient Egypt.) Mount Argaeus (modern day Ericyes. Source: Wikipedia): Here is the coin description: Caesarea Cappadocia, Commodus 177-192, Didrachm Laureled head of Commodus right "AYT M AYP KOMO ANTWNI" "YPi ATOC D Pi AT Pi A" Mt Argaeus surmounted by a star Note that the coin inscriptions are in Greek, not the usual Latin. This would be in deference to the local population. Here is another image (Top and bottom images from Wildwinds.com.) Here is a previous discussion on the mythology surrounding Mount Argaeus. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11544&pid=106951&st=0entry106951 guy also known as gaius