Thread by @DocCrom

Ancient Coin of the Day: A denarius of ca. 19-4 BC commemorating the Augustan recovery of the legionary standards from the Parthians. #ACOTD #Augustus

Image: RIC Augustus 287; British Museum (2002,0102.4941). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.1(…

The loss of three Roman legionary standards under Crassus at the battle of Carrhae on 9 June in 53 BC - to say nothing of the failure of Mark Antony's Parthian Expedition in 36 BC - had long been a source of embarrassment to Roman martial reputation.

Augustus' successful diplomatic recovery of the standards in 20 BC did much to restore Roman 'dignity'. Thus unsurprisingly it was an event that featured prominently on the coinage of the period, including this denarius of Publius Petronius Turpilianus.

The Obverse features a portrait of Liber, sporting an ivy-wreath, with the Legend TVRPILIANVS III VIR - 'Turpilianus, one of the three men' - referring to Turpilianus' role as one of the three magistrates responsible for moneying.

The Reverse shows a trousered Parthian, kneeling - doubtless in obeisance - while offering a standard, with an 'X' on the vexillum, referring to the Legion's number. The Legend on the coin is explicit: CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE - 'Caesar Augustus, Receiver of the Standards'.

This scene was also echoed in the contemporary literature, with Horace (Epistles 1.12.27-28) noting that "Phraates [the Parthian King] accepted the Roman imperium on his knees." Similarly, Ovid (Fasti 6.467-468) has Vesta utter the following warning to the Parthians: ...

"Why do you gloat? Those standards you'll give back.
For the death of Crassus will arise an Avenger seeking retribution."

The term 'Avenger' is pointed here as the recovered standards would be housed in the Augustan Temple of Mars Ultor.

The significance of the moment is also seen on an aureus of 18-17 BC, with the Legend on the Reverse: CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECVP - 'Citizens and Standards having been recovered from the Parthians'

Image: RIC Augustus 131; ANS 1944.100.39073. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.1(…

The moment of the return of the standards was also given pride of place in the scenes depicted on the breastplate of the Prima Porta statue, leaving no doubt as to the propaganda value of this event.

For more on the Parthians, see:

Rose, Charles Brian. “The Parthians in Augustan Rome.” American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 109, no. 1, 2005, pp. 21–75.

jstor.org/stable/40025103

#ACOTD #Augustus #Parthia