A Provincial Pompa

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 734. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $7750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ Medallion (38mm, 18.51 g, 6h). Temenothyrae (Phrygia) mint. Titianus, archiereus. AV • KA • PO • LIKI • GALLIHNOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right, wearing aegis / TITIANOC APXIE–PEVC, THMENOQV •/PEVCIN • in two lines in exergue, monumental ornate conical cult-image on cart drawn left by yoke of oxen; before, guide standing right, steadying oxen and directing to three figures above, standing right, and two figures behind, each of whom holds a guide rope. Von Aulock, Phrygiens -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG München -; SNG von Aulock 8454 = Triton I, lot 688 (same obv. die). EF, green and red patina with earthen overtones. Extremely rare.

The pompa, or procession, was a prominent part of the religious festivals and games of the Greco-Roman world. Often opening the associated games or accompanying the sacrifices, monumental images of the deity would be publicly conveyed (Ovid, Trist. 4.2-3, 6). Such was the Roman pompa circensis which preceded the games in the circus and was part of the celebration of a triumph. Likewise, the inception of a new consulship occasioned celebrations which also would have included the display of such images. Some such event must have been the occasion for the pompa depicted on this medallion, though a more specific event is as yet unknown. The archierus mentioned may be the Junius Titianus who was consul with Philip I in AD 245 (Cod. Theod. 6.39.2).