CARACALLA. 198-217 AD. AR Denarius (18mm, 2.74 gm). Struck 216 AD. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right / P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P, radiate lion walking left, carrying thunderbolt in jaws. RIC VI 283c; BMCRE 178; RSC 367. EF.
The radiate lion symbolizes the Emesan solar diety El 'Gabal to which the imperial family was connected through Julia Domna's father. The new "cult" would soon attain much greater significance - and infamy - during the reign of Elagabalus, the high priest of El 'Gabal.
