Sol and Luna, on this eclipse day
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2024 2:05 pm
In ancient times, Pliny the Elder mentioned the eclipse of the sun in the year 71 A.D. visible in the Mediterranean.
Here we have a coin in my collection depicting Sol as a god with radiate crown...
Obverse: VIRTVS PROBI AVG ("The courage of Probus", emperor between 276-282 A.D. wearing military attire, hefting spear and shield). Probus spent the bulk of his reign personally commanding his armies and beating back Barbarian tribes.
Reverse: CONSERVAT AVG
Sol in this case is the emperor's protector in this issue of Ticinum, a city in the Balkans, standing rather than appearing in his quadriga or four horse chariot that ferried the sun across the sky (much more common). Hopefully today the rays of Sol's crown will be indeed, radiant, as lady Luna passes in front of his face.
Here we have a coin in my collection depicting Sol as a god with radiate crown...
Obverse: VIRTVS PROBI AVG ("The courage of Probus", emperor between 276-282 A.D. wearing military attire, hefting spear and shield). Probus spent the bulk of his reign personally commanding his armies and beating back Barbarian tribes.
Reverse: CONSERVAT AVG
Sol in this case is the emperor's protector in this issue of Ticinum, a city in the Balkans, standing rather than appearing in his quadriga or four horse chariot that ferried the sun across the sky (much more common). Hopefully today the rays of Sol's crown will be indeed, radiant, as lady Luna passes in front of his face.