disposition of the Emperor, probably struck this coin to pacify him. “Is timor nobis erat cum cæteris communis," are the words of Dio, a senator of that time; and there was really ground for the tyrants' being ruffled with the Conscript Fathers,-for the assassin who undertook to deal the fatal stroke, in Lucilla's conspiracy, exclaimed while he displayed the dagger→ Hune tibi pugionem Senatus mittit!"

CCXCII.

Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANT. P. FELIX AVG. BRIT. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, Britannicus.) The laurelled head of Commodus, with handsome but unprepossessing features. A medal in good condition, though rubbed on the legends. The obverse is covered with a deep-brown, and the reverse with grass-green patina. It was purchased at Lord Morton's sale, in 1830.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XI. IMP. VII. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate undecimum, Imperator septimum.) In the field S. C.; and on the exergum COS. V. P. P. (Consul quintum, Pater Patriæ.) A statue of Janus bifrons, with the lance of divinity, is naked to the loins, and stands in the vestibule of a small distyle temple. This device appears to recognize Commodus as Pacator Orbis, a title which he assumed in his arrogant letter to the senate.

The 1st of January, as sacred to Janus, was celebrated with great solemnity; and the crown of laurel which he had worn the preceding year, was on that day taken off his head, and replaced by a new one whence Ovid

“Laurea flaminibus quæ toto perstitit anno,

Tollitur, et frondes sunt in honore novo."

Janus has been thought to typify the sun, and that his power of looking either way, represents the East and West, or Heaven's gates: but others consider his seeing before and behind, as emblematic of time. His head formed the obverse of the Roman Ases for ages, and were circulated in a damaged state even in Ovid's time; the reverse was usually the prow of a galley, whence the Roman boys tossed up for " Capita aut Navim!" with them. The reason why Janus had generally some symbol of a ship near him, is one of the "Roman Questions" of Plutarch;-Bryant seized it as a relic of his Arkite worship. Statius mentions the curious figure of Janus when talking with both mouths at once; and in allusion to his double face, Persius exclaims,

"O Janus, happiest of thy happy kind !-
No waggish stork can peck at thee behind."
CCXCIII.

Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANT. P. FELIX. AVG. BRIT. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, Britannicus.) The laureated head of the Emperor, with a bare neck. A medal, in sound but secondary condition, varuished with a deep bottle-green patina; it was purchased from Mr. Till, in 1830. Reverse. VICTORIAE FELICI. Victory flying gracefully across the field; she is crowned with turrets, and holds two shields by a girdle or garland of flowers-on one of which is an S, and on the other a C. (Senatus Consultu.)—over a substructure inscribed COS. V, P. P. (Consul quintum, Pater Patriæ.) Some advantages gained over the Moors, and the Dacians, in the fifth consulate of Commodus, gave occasion to this device; for the act of flying denotes rapidity of operation, and the two shields would signify a double success. I have before me a medal with precisely the same obverse, and apparently minted with the same view; but the reverse has been too much tooled to warrant its admission into the cabinet. It presents two arches, each bearing a fine trophy, and an equestrian statue. I have searched in the British Museum, and in various other collections for this device, without success; nor have I found it figured any where but in the "Thesaurus selectorum Numismatum antiquorum” of Oiselius,-where it appears, with QVOD VIAE MVN. SVNT. (Quod Vie Munitæ sunt,) between the trophies. On the whole it recalls the line of Virgil:

"Et duo rapta manu diverso ex hoste trophæa."

CCXCIV.

Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANT. P. FELIX AVG. BRIT. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, Britannicus.) The profile of Commodus, with a laurel crown, and his neck bare. A medal in secondary condition, and unpatinated; it was purchased from Mr. Young,

in 1832.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XI. IMP. VIII. COS. V. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate undecimum, Imperator octavum, Consul quintum, Pater Patriæ.) On the exergum PROVID. AVG. (Providentia Augusti.) In the area S. C. A ship under sail without oars-a “remigio alarum," instead of the creeping system of navigation mentioned by Propertius:

"Alter remus aquas, alter tibi radat arenas,

Tutus eris; medio maxima turba mari est.”

This was struck A. D. 186, and it testifies the care of Commodus, in the frumentarian supply.
He established a company of merchants, and a fleet, for conveying corn from Africa to Rome,
to guard against any misfortune that might befall the ships which transported it from Egypt.
As this was a good act, his inflated vanity on the occasion shall pass uncensured.

CCXCV.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laurelled head of Commodus, with curled hair and beard, and a bare neck;-the features with a very indifferent expression. This medal is unpatinated, but in good condition; it was presented to me by Mr. W. Hamilton, on the occasion related at No. CXLIV.

Reverse. SAL. GEN. HVM. COS. VI. P. P. (Salus Generis Humani, Consul sextum, Pater Patria.) On the exergum S. C. Hygieia, in full robes, is standing with her father's rod and involute serpent in her left hand, and raising a kneeling citizen with her right. Tristan thinks the Goddess of Health is here relieving the Emperor from a grievous complaint; but it would be altogether hors de régle to represent him on his knees-nor are we aware of any illness that befell him in his sixth consulate. It more probably represents the termination, Å. D. 191, of a dreadful plague which had ravaged Rome for two or three years; and to escape which, Commodus ran off to Laurentum, where he spent in revels, the money which he had exacted under pretence of going over to Africa.

CCXCVI.

Obverse. M. COMMOD. ANT. P. FELIX AVG. BRIT. P. P. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, Britannicus, Pater Patria.) A laureated profile of Commodus, with a bare neck, and the features good, but coarse. This medal is slightly varnished with brownish patina, and is in excellent condition; it was presented to me by Sig. Rossoni, at Benghazi, in 1821.

Reverse. COL. L. AN. COM. P. M. TR. P. XV. IMP. VIII. (Colonia Lucii Antonini Commodi, Pontificis Maximi, Tribunitia potestate decimum-quintum, Imperatoris octavum.) In the field S. C.; and on the exergum COS. VI. (Consulis sextum.) The Emperor, with a sacerdotal veil as a priest, is steering a plough drawn by oxen. The ambition of Commodus was to have every thing named after him-the months, the fleet, the senate-and now even Rome itself was to change its name, and, with the consent of the Conscript Fathers, be called Colonia Commodiana. The device represents the ceremony by which a city was founded, its circuit being marked by driving a plough round it—whence urbis is supposed to be corrupted from orbis. In yoking the cattle for this purpose, a bull was placed outside, and a cow inside, indicating the duties of men to be abroad, and those of women at home. The driver was called Colonus, whence the word clown, which at first signified merely a tiller of ground.

Dio relates that the Emperor ordered a colossal statue of gold, for the capitol, with the oxen and plough, as if he had actually founded a new colony :-"e gli fù battuta quest' insigne medaglia ch' io non ho osservata in nessun museo numismatico," observes the learned Alessandro Visconti.

Y

CCXCVII.

Obverse. M. COMMOD. ANT. P. FELIX AVG. BRIT. P. P. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Pius, Felix, Augustus, Britannicus, Pater Patriæ.) A profile of the Emperor with a laurel wreath, and a bare neck. This medal has been rubbed, and is without patina; it was purchased from Mr. Matthew Young, in 1828.

Reverse. HERCVLI COMMODIANO P. M. TR. P. XVI. COS. VI. (Hercnli Commodiano, Pontifici Maximi, Tribunitia potestate decimum-sextum, Consuli sextum.) In the field S. C. A virile figure, with only a robe round his loins, stands before a decorated altar which is under a tree, whereon hangs the skin of a lion. As he holds a sacrificial tessera in his right hand, and a cornucopiæ in the left, without the appearance of a club, the figure does not seem to represent Hercules, though the fascia honours him with a new title. See No. CCCII. 'This is the last medal inserted by Sambucus; and it is singular that he has mistaken the flame on the altar, for an eagle.

CCXCVIII.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laureated head of the Emperor, with a bare neck, and indifferent expression of features. This medal has been rubbed, but has a ground of black patina: it was presented to me by my shipmate Lieut. Graves, R. N. in 1825.

Reverse. I. O. M. SPONSOR. SEC. AVG. (Jovi Optimo Maximo, Sponsori securitatis Augusti.) In the field S. C.; and on the exergum COS. VI. P. P. (Consulis sextum, Patris Patriæ.) Jupiter, naked to the loins, is standing with his right hand upon the shoulder of the togated Emperor, who holds a globe and sceptre in token of authority. The deity grasps a fulmen in his left hand, as if resolved to protect an abominable prince, who not only practised every vice himself, but also exempted criminals from punishment, for money. About this timeA. D 191,—the temple of Peace, with all its treasures, was destroyed by conflagration. That magnificent structure had been raised by Vespasian, after the conquest of Jerusalem, and was enriched with all the spoils and ornaments of the temple of the Jews.

CCXCIX.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laurelled profile of Commodus, with a bare neck, and the beard highly trimmed. This medal is of yellow brass, and in excellent preservation, though barely patinated; it was procured at Catania, in 1814.

Reverse. PROVIDENTIAE AVG. (Providentia Augusti.) On the exergum S. C. The Emperor naked, in the character of Hercules, stands with his foot on the prow of a ship, and supports a club in his left hand against a rock. On the opposite side is a stately and well-executed female, figured in long robes, who-by the lion at her feet, the sistrum in her hand, and the elephant's proboscis on her head-evidently personates Africa. She is in the act of presenting a bunch of wheat-ears to Commodus, as a token of the foresight mentioned in No. CCXCIV. CCC.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The head of Commodus, with a laurel wreath, and a bare neck, the hair and beard attentively dressed, and the eye larger than on the preceding medals. It is covered with a fine black patina, and is in capital condition; it was procured at Orbitello, in Tuscany, in 1823.

Reverse. SERAPIDI CONSERV. AVG. COS. VI. P. P. (Serapidi Conservatori Augusti, Consulis sextum, Patris Patriæ.) This medal was struck A. D. 191, to testify the Emperor's regard for the Egyptian worship. It represents Serapis in short robes, crowned with a modius, extending his right hand in a commanding attitude, and holding a sceptre in his left. He was not only the Jupiter and Pluto of the Egyptians, but also typified the Universe; and the response given to the inquiries of Nicocreon, tyrant of Cyprus, declares his ubiquitous

attributes-that the earth was his foot, the sea his belly, and the sun his eye; and as his head was in heaven, it followed that the modius must be filled with all the heavenly gifts for which bis followers prayed. Most authors declare Serapis to be identical with Osiris, yet some have seen a distinction in their nature and relations. To arrive at a conclusion, we may repeat what Martianus Capella, the African Latinist, says in his hymn to the sun :

"Iseam Serapin Nilus, Memphis veneratur Osirim."

CCCI.

Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS. (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, Augustus, Pius.) The laurelled head of the Emperor, with a trimmed beard, and bare neck. A medal in indifferent preservation, which was procured near Lucca, in 1823.

Reverse. TEMPORVM FELICITAS, inscribed on the exergum and in the field S. C. Four boys in easy attitudes represent the seasons of the year. Spring bears a basket of flowers upon his head; Summer holds a sickle and some corn; Autumn displays a cyathus for wine in one hand, and places his other upon a hound; Winter holds a leafless branch, and is warmly clothed the other three being naked. This elegant device was first struck on a medallion, in honour of Commodus and his brother Annius Verus; but it was afterwards frequently used. The year 191 was not a peculiarly happy one, but the populace might have approved of the times, as their infamous master was not deficient in that ostentatious generosity which gratified itself in congiaries, as is testified by several of his medals. Commodus had decreed that his era should be styled the golden age; and besides the medal before us, I have had others in largebrass, expressive of the public felicity-as Lætitia in a garland, Tempor. Felic. around two cornucopiæ and a caduceus-and others. Lampridius says "Ipse vero seculum aureum, Commodianum nomine, adsimulans, vilitatem proposuit, ex qua majorem penuriam fecit."

CCCII.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Ælius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) A well executed profile of the despot, with his head covered by the spoils of a lion. This medal, in singular perfection, and varnished with black patina, was procured at Dernah, in 1822. The former emperors were frequently represented in the dress and attributes of Gods, on the reverse of their medals; but the obverse was invariably occupied by the official portrait. Commodus, however, changed all this, and taking off the laurel from his brows, here exhibits himself in the head-dress of Hercules.

Reverse. HERCVL. ROMANO AVG. S. C. (Herculi Romano Augusto, Senatus Consultu.) This is inscribed in a garland of laurel, with a massy club down the centre, as a compliment to Commodus the Roman Hercules. This "Peste execrable du genre humain," as Tristan terms him, is said to have fought in the public amphitheatre upwards of 700 times, with such success that he dignified himself with the title of Conqueror of 1000 Gladiators: "multa cognomina sibi sumpsit, sed præsertim Herculis." He assembled a number of cripples and city paupers, and causing them to be wrapped up in fantastical habits, like dragons and monsters, he rushed upon them with his club, and laid them all dead at his feet. "Vincis ab æterno!" shouted the abject senators to the ferocious monster.

"Commodus Herculeum nomen habere cupit,

Antoninorum non putat esse bonum."

Hercules was a favourite deity with the Romans, and his name was the watch-word of Pompey, at Pharsalia. He typified valour and fortitude, which are proved, by undergoing fatigue and labour with the resolution which his history exemplified. In the fanciful Orphic theory, he denoted the efficient cause in nature which distributed the universe into its different parts; and other mystifications refer his 12 labours to the progress of the sun through the signs of the zodiac. In this light it is easy to accept the "starry-robed Hercules" of Nonnus. CCCIII.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The head of Commodus attired with the lion's skin, as in the last.

1

A medal in good but secondary condition, and thinly coated with light-brown patina; it was purchased at Mr. Trattle's sale, in 1832.

Reverse. HERCVLI ROMANO AVG. (Herculi Romano Augusto.) On the exergum S. C. The club of Hercules between a bow, and a quiver of arrows, in allusion to the strength, activity, and skill of Commodus. The quiver of this reverse, engraved in the Rev. W. Cooke's Medallic History, is inscribed HONORI; but I have seen no letters on any of those which I have examined. CCCIV.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Ælius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laurelled head of the Emperor, with the beard, hair, and mustachios, dressed with singular care, and a highly expressive countenance. This medal is coated with olive-green patina, and is in the highest possible preservation; it was found in a ruin near Leptis Magna, in 1817, by an Arab, who immediately exchanged it with me, for a penknife.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XVII. IMP. VIII. COS. VII. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate decimum-septimum, Imperator octavum, Consul septimum, Pater Patriæ.) On the exergum S. C. An armed warrior, with a long spear, gives his right hand to a stately female in full robes, holding a military standard. Both these figures are admirably executed, and between them is a star, an object common on the medals minted A. D. 192, just before the Emperor's death. This may have been owing to a superstition derived from the Egyptians ;— "Auspicum observationes stellam asserunt prosperitatis, ac læti alicujus eventi signum esse." This medal affords an additional proof that authors are wrong in supposing the tribunitian number to refer to the year of the Emperor's actual reign-since that of Commodus was not yet 13 years. The exact dates of the repetition of this power, for this reign, it has been difficult to assign-for even if this be reckoned from the time when he was associated in his father's authority, there will still be a year too much.

CCCV.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL, COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laureated head of the Emperor, with features and hair as in the last. A medal in very high condition, and covered with a dense-black patina; it was presented to me by Count Portalis, in 1817.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XVII. IMP. VIII. COS. VII. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate decimum-septimum, Imperator octavum, Consul septimum, Pater Patriæ.) On the exergum S. C. The Emperor in full vestments, is crowned by a winged Victory, holding a palm-branch. Before him stand Osiris and Isis, with the modius and sistrum: between them and the Emperor is a cylindrical altar with a festoon of flowers, over which the parties join hands. This noble device testifies the regard of the Prince for the Egyptian deities-Sacra Isidis coluit, ut et caput raderet et Anubin portaret," says Lampridius. See No. CCC. Macrobius tells us that Osiris was the Sun; and as the Egyptians considered that luminary as the demiurgus, or creator, he was held in the first consideration; and, according to Manetho, all red-haired men were immolated at his tomb.

Bellori considers this reverse as a sacrifice to Serapis, for the health of Commodus; but it more probably relates to the establishment of the Commodo-Herculeo-African fleet. The same event gave occasion to the striking of a fine medallion, inscribed Votis Felicibus: two ships are represented under sail, and three rowing boats,-a grand pharos stands on a rock, before which are two priests, who have just precipitated a bull and a patera into the sea, as a sacrifice to Neptune. The custom of thus propitiating the God of Waters, is as old as Homer. CCCVI.

Obverse. L. AEL. AVREL. COMM. AVG. P. FEL. (Lucius Elius Aurelius Commodus, Augustus, Pius, Felix.) The laurelled head of Commodus, with a bare neck, and marked features. A medal in fair condition, and covered with red patina; it was purchased from Mr. Till, in 1830. Reverse. VOTA SOL. PRO SAL. P. R. COS. VII. P. P. (Vota soluta pro salute Populi Romani, Consul septimum, Pater Patria) On the exergum S. C. The Emperor "capite velato" in