Celebrating the Parthian Victory

Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 595. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $8500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Mytilene. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Medallion - 44mm (53.44 g, 6h). P. Julius Leonteus, strategus. Struck circa AD 197-199. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Caracalla, radiate, standing left in triumphal quadriga, holding reins and eagle-tipped scepter; to left, soldier, holding vexillum and reins of horse, advancing left with head right; behind, cippus surmounted by trophy with bound captives seated on either side at base. SNG München -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 212-3. VF, green patina. Very rare.

Beginning in AD 197, Septimius Severus renewed his war against the Parthians, who had assisted Pescennius Niger, Severus’ rival for the throne. The Romans were quickly successful, bringing northern Mesopotamia back under their control. In AD 198-199, Severus captured the Parthian cities of Ctesiphon and Seleucia, for which he received the title Parthicus Maximus. During this campaign, Caracalla was appointed co-Augustus, and although he would not be given the title Parthicus Maximus for several more years. This medallion clearly refers to Caracalla’s role in the Parthian victory, and may commemorate his arrival in Mytilene on the return trip to Rome to assume the office of Augustus.