I MEDAGLIONI DI TARSO E QUELLI DI ABOUKIR

[okt]

Ecco, forse quello che non mi suona è che mi sembra di cogliere troppa psicologia nei personaggi (Caracalla sconvolto dalla strage, Olimpiade che riflette sul destino del figlio, e forse sul proprio, gli sguardi rivolti al cielo, stile Antonino Pio, la tristezza della nereide e del centauro marino...). In tutti una grande tristezza che ci sta nell'Ellenismo, certamente, ma qui mi sembra troppa e si accompagna a una bellezza estenuata, quasi malata che penso sia tipica invece di certe espressioni neoclassiche, soprattutto del nord e del centro Europa.

[okt]

13 minuti fa, King John dice:

Grazie per la condivisione del testo.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Caracalla, (Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 200 - 250 AD ?).
Obverse: Cuirassed and laureate bust of Caracalla seen from the front with sword and shield to left. Over his shoulder, a spear. Breastplate with head of Medusa, shoulder clasp ornamented. From his right shoulder hangs a balteus, the sword itself with hilt in form of an eagle. Around his waist, the cingulum militare. The shield bears the diademed head of Alexander in profile to the left, above Alexander on horse hunting a lion.
Reverse: Alexander, diademed and with a garment around his hips, sitting to the right on a bench. In front of him, Nike turned left, her left hand supported by a round shield, her right hand holding an Attic helmet. Shield decorated with Achilles slaying Penthesileia.
Inscription: ΒΑCΙΛΕVC / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC
Dimensions: Diameter: 4.8 cm.
Axis: 1. 
Weight: 65.12 g.
Mint: Beroea (Macedon)?
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
References: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 527; E.
Provenance: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great, sister of Alexander I of Epirus also known as Alexander Molossus, daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus, and fourth wife of Philip II the king of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. (Roman Imperial Period ca. 200 - 250 AD ?).
Obverse: Draped, diademed, and veiled bust of Olympias in three-quarter view to left; right arm adorned with bracelet, left hand holds a scepter.
Reverse: Nereid riding on a sea-bull (taurocampus) to left, left upper arm, right wrist and both ankles with brooches; in left hand reins, amid the waves two shells and two dolphins.
Inscription: -
Dimensions: Diameter: 5.8 cm.
Axis: 12. 
Weight: 81.86 g.
Mint: Beroea (Macedon)?
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
References: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 527; D.
Provenance: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Caracalla, (Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 215-243 AD ?).
Obverse: Caracalla who is potrayed on the this medallion in profile, left, bearing a shield on his shoulder decorated with the image of Nike in a racing-chariot. Caracalla is compared to Alexander, the conqueror of the East.
Reverse: Depicts Caracalla's distant predecessor King Alexander of Macedon (r. 336-323 BC) in short chiton and chlamys (a cloak) hunting a boar. This depiction of a royal hunt was intended to emphasize the prowess that Alexander also showed in battle. 
Inscription: BACIΛEVC / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC.
Dimensions: 3/16 x 2 1/4 in. (0.6 x 5.7 cm) (d. x diam.)
Weight: 71.75 g.
Axis: 11.
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
Accession number: 59.3.
Reference: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 531-532; T.
Provenance: Walters Art Museum in Baltimore - USA.
Together with 59.1 and 59.2, this piece was discovered in Egypt as part of a hoard that comprised about twenty similar medallions (now dispersed among various museums), eighteen gold ingots, and six hundred gold coins issued by Roman emperors from Severus Alexander (r. AD 222-235) to Constantius I (r. AD 293-306). One of the medallions, now in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, bears an inscription that possibly reads "Olympic games of the year 274", a date corresponding to AD 242-243. It is possible that the medallions were intended as prizes to be given out at that event.

P.S.: The medallions of Aboukir, in contrast to other medallions in precious metals, they are not based on a defined coin standard, and cannot be considered multiples of regular aurei or solidi. In contrast, the Aboukir medallions are of diverse weights, possess a varying non–coin like fineness, and most importantly they are not products of any official Roman mint. In addition, they bear Greek, not Latin legends, naming the king Alexander, and offer a fascinating insight into a highly elaborate iconographic language telling the story and legend of Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) and the appreciation of him in the Roman period. Fittingly enough, the only Roman emperor depicted on these medallions is Caracalla, who himself was (in)famous for his very personal "Alexander-mania".

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 215-243 AD ?).
Obverse: Alexander is compared to Achilles, a hero of the Trojan War. This particular medallion shows Alexander the Great gazing heavenward and bearing a shield decorated with signs of the zodiac. This portrait shows him with his hair pulled back. He wears a decorated cuirass with a figure of Athena on the shoulder strap and, on the chest, a scene from the Gigantomachy (War of the Giants).
Reverse: Depicts Alexander and Nike, goddess of victory, riding in a chariot, flanked by the deities Roma and Mars.
Inscription: BACI - ΛEΩC / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟV.
Dimensions: Diam: 2 1/8 x D: 5/16 in. (5.34 x 0.75 cm)
Weight: 96.56 g.
Axis: 12.
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
Accession number: 59.1.
Reference: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 529; L
Provenance: Walters Art Museum in Baltimore - USA.
P.S.: Together with Walters 59.2 and 59.3, this piece was discovered in Egypt as part of a hoard that comprised about twenty similar medallions (now dispersed among various museums), eighteen gold ingots, and six hundred gold coins issued by Roman emperors from Severus Alexander (r. AD 222-235) to Constantius I (r. AD 293-306). One of the medallions, now in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, bears an inscription that possibly reads "Olympic games of the year 274", a date corresponding to AD 242-243. It is possible that the medallions were intended as prizes to be given out at that event. Alternatively, they may have been issued by Emperor Caracalla (r. AD 198-217), who is potrayed on some of them. Caracalla liked to be compared to the great king and conquerror Alexander of Macedon (ruled 336-323 BC). Like Alexander, this Roman emperor waged war in the East, and actually died in the course of his campaign against the Parthians.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC - 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 200-250 AD ?).
Obverse: Facing cuirassed bust of Alexander wearing a diadem with round shield (only part visible) and spear on left shoulder. Head slightly turned to his left and eyes gazing upward. Hair with anastole and short whiskers visible on his left cheek. On shield, naked female bust seen from the front, holding a mantle above her head, above and circled by six stars (always two by two), the confronted heads of Helios and Selene on crescent in profile. Above, along the rim of the shield, five signs of the zodiac from left to right: aries, taurus, gemini, cancer, and leo (only back visible). On Alexanders armor, a youthful giant. On right shoulder clasp: Athena in peplos with spear to right, and aegis, plumed helmet and oval shield.
Reverse: Nike wearing a chiton to right, left foot on helmet, pointing with her left hand at oval shield, which she holds with her right. Shield is held by a winged Eros turned left. On the shield, male figure in loincloth turned left and woman turned right. Above both figures, two lines indicating a curtain (?) On extreme right, tropaion with double axe, four oval shields, armor with sword and coat, helmet, quiver, and two bows with one bow case each. On the ground, two sitting captives; on left, a bound man with Phrygian cap and trousers; on right female with coat, her left hand supporting her chin. Rim filed.
Inscription: ΒΑCΙ-ΛΕ-ΩC / ΑΛΕ-ΞΑΝΔΡΟV
Dimensions: Diameter: 5.6 cm.
Axis: 12. 
Weight: 84.3 g.
Mint: Beroea (Macedon)?
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
References: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 526-527; C.
Provenance: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC - 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 200-250 AD ?).
Obverse: Cuirassed bust of Alexander with coat draping his shoulder in threequarter view to left. He is wearing an Attic helmet without cheek pieces and a high crest (decorated by a sphinx at its base). On the side of the helmet, an Artemis on horse to left; head is slightly moved forward but not turned up. Doublestruck.
Reverse: Nike wearing a chiton to right, left foot on helmet, pointing with her left hand at oval shield, which she holds with her right. Shield is held by a winged Eros turned left. On the shield, male figure in loincloth turned left and woman turned right. Above both figures, two lines indicating a curtain (?) On extreme right, tropaion with double axe, four oval shields, armor with sword and coat, helmet, quiver, and two bows with one bow case each. On the ground, two sitting captives; on left, a bound man with Phrygian cap and trousers; on right female with coat, her left hand supporting her chin. Rim filed.
Inscription: ΒΑCΙ-ΛΕ-ΩC / ΑΛΕ-ΞΑΝΔΡΟV
Dimensions: Diameter: 6 cm.
Axis: 11. 
Weight:105.06 g.
Mint: Beroea (Macedon)?
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
References: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 526; B.
Provenance: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας). (Roman Imperial Period ca. 200-250 AD ?).
Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander with ram's horn to left, head slightly turned upward, gazing to heaven. 
Reverse: Nike in quadriga to right, holding palm branch with taenia in her left hand, in her right, reins.
Inscription: ΒΑCΙΛ-ΕωC / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ.
Dimensions: Diameter: 5.4 cm.
Axis: 12. 
Weight:112.66 g.
Mint: Beroea (Macedon)?
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
References: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 525-526; A.
Provenance: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

[King John]

"Aboukir Medallions". Roman gold medallion with Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great, sister of Alexander I of Epirus also known as Alexander Molossus, daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus, and fourth wife of Philip II the king of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. (Roman Imperial Period ca. 215-243 AD ?).
Obverse: Olympias in profile right.
Reverse: A "nereid" (sea nymph), perhaps Thetis, the mother of Achilles, riding on sea- centaur (centaurocampus), a mythical sea-creature.
Inscription: -
Dimensions: 1/4 x 2 1/8 in. (0.6 x 5.4 cm) (d. x diam.)
Weight: 63.82 g.
Axis: 11.
Place of Discovery: Egypt, Aboukir.
Accession number: 59.2.
Reference: Dahmen, K. - 2008 - Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos 531; R
Provenance: Walters Art Museum in Baltimore - USA.
Together with 59.1 and 59.3, the medallion forms part of a double comparison: Caracalla is compared to Alexander, the conqueror of the East; Alexander is compared to Achilles, a hero of the Trojan War.This piece is part of a series of large gold medallions that was commissioned to honor Emperor Caracalla, representing him as the descendant of Alexander the Great. These medallions, found at Aboukir in Upper Egypt, demonstrate the artistry and technical prowess achieved by an imperial mint, perhaps that of Ephesus or Perinthus (both cities in western Asia Minor).
P.S.: In 1902, rumors started to circulate in Egypt about a hoard of Roman gold that had been uncovered by peasants. Later that year some Syrian antiquities dealers arrived in Paris, accompanied by an "Oriental woman" not named in any source I can find. They offered an impressive collection for sale: more than 600 Roman aurei (gold coins), 18 gold bars and 20 gold medallions, which they said came from the Delta town of Abukir. Based on the dates of the coins, the hoard was buried in the second half of the third century AD. Because of the dubious character of the sellers and the unusual nature of the finds, Parisian dealers decided the medallions were fake, and would not buy them. However, a German scholar recognized them as genuine and bought four for the museum of Berlin, where they remain. The rest went back to Egypt and were then dispersed through various deals. Eleven ended up at Caluoste Gulbenkian Museum in Portugal, and three ended up at the Walters Museum in Baltimore. Now, eleven are at Caluoste Gulbenkian Museum in Portugal, five are at Münzkabinett of Berlin, three are at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and one at Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. Of the same type are also the three medallions at Cabinet des Médailles - Bibliothèque nationale de France, (BnF), provenanced from Tarsos Hoard.

[Poemenius]

Il 19/6/2019 alle 11:18, King John dice:

Partiamo con le immagini dei Medaglioni di Tarso  che provengono da  un ritrovamento accertato del 1863 (quindi si tratta di esemplari certamente autentici).

bellissime immagini che vedo solo ora....

purtroppo la situazione è ancora più complessa.... il ripostiglio di Tarso non è esattamente "certo" nel senso moderno del termine... ovvero da scavo archeologico controllato etc, ma parliamo di uno scavo di 160 anni fa in Turchia...

cosa conteneva (si dice...)

-    I 3 medaglioni

-    20 aurei I-III secolo

-    1 medaglione di Alessandro severo

-    4 barre in oro

-    2 pendenti a campanella in oro

-    Vari gioielli e amuleti in oro e lapislazzuli

Cosa è successo.... (si dice....)

1 – attraverso varie mani arrivò a Parigi sul mercato antiquario

2 – sappiamo poco nulla del preciso luogo di ritrovamento e del contesto archeologico (!!!)

3 – “si dice” che i medaglioni venissero da una struttura di piano superiore crollata…

4 – le monete andarono in mano ad un armeno prima di fare giri in varie “tasche” e arrivare a Parigi

 

Ora...considerando che so per certo che in un paese centro europeo, negli anni 2000, un falsario riuscì ad inserire dei suoi pezzi all'interno di uno scavo archeologico, per poi venderne altri a peso d'oro...... insomma ....la parola "certo" su questi è comunque un po' forte e fuorviante...poi magari sono verissimi, non entro nel merito...è solo metodologico

 

[King John]

12 minuti fa, Poemenius dice:

bellissime immagini che vedo solo ora....

purtroppo la situazione è ancora più complessa.... il ripostiglio di Tarso non è esattamente "certo" nel senso moderno del termine... ovvero da scavo archeologico controllato etc, ma parliamo di uno scavo di 160 anni fa in Turchia...

cosa conteneva (si dice...)

-    I 3 medaglioni

-    20 aurei I-III secolo

-    1 medaglione di Alessandro severo

-    4 barre in oro

-    2 pendenti a campanella in oro

-    Vari gioielli e amuleti in oro e lapislazzuli

Cosa è successo.... (si dice....)

1 – attraverso varie mani arrivò a Parigi sul mercato antiquario

2 – sappiamo poco nulla del preciso luogo di ritrovamento e del contesto archeologico (!!!)

3 – “si dice” che i medaglioni venissero da una struttura di piano superiore crollata…

4 – le monete andarono in mano ad un armeno prima di fare giri in varie “tasche” e arrivare a Parigi

 

Ora...considerando che so per certo che in un paese centro europeo, negli anni 2000, un falsario riuscì ad inserire dei suoi pezzi all'interno di uno scavo archeologico, per poi venderne altri a peso d'oro...... insomma ....la parola "certo" su questi è comunque un po' forte e fuorviante...poi magari sono verissimi, non entro nel merito...è solo metodologico

 

Alzo le mani: evidentemente ha notizie più approfondite tu.

[Poemenius]

caro @King John

la mia puntualizzazione prescinde dal bellissimo contributo che hai dato, e comunque tiene conto della premessa iniziale "non parliamo di vero/falso".

tuttavia sai che sono un gran rompiscatole numismatico   e spesso capita che i capisaldi su cui costruire un parere, non siano poi così saldi

le mie informazioni su Tarso, che non è il mio periodo, quindi, "con le pinze", vengono dal American Journal of Numismatics del 2008 della ANS ... Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos

qua c'è un breve resoconto di quel ritrovamento, che di fatto non mi lascia al 100% sereno rispetto all'originalità di quelle che potrebbero essere pietre di paragone.... come dire... paragonare un solido con quelli di San Mamiliano mi dà qualche certezza in più ... tutto qua

Modificato 14 Settembre, 2020 da Poemenius