with more of majesty than the Moderns, confounding him with Silenus, are apt to assign to him; he holds a cantharus in one hand, and a thyrsus, entwined with two snakes, symbolical of Asia, in the other but though the syrma or triumphal robe, the nebris or fawn's skin, and the cothurni, or buskins, are considered to be his distinctive attributes, he is here represented naked. Between the figures is a lynx, or Panther, illustrating the verse of Propertius

This device indicates that Severus, when marching against Niger, especially addressed himself to those deified heroes, as the noblest who had appeared on earth; and Dio informs us that he dedicated a sumptuous temple to them.

CCCXXIX.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEV. PERT. AVG. IMP. IIII. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax, Augustus, Imperator quartum.) The laureated head of Severus, with the hair, beard, and mustachios trimmed. This medal is in remarkably fine condition, and covered with a deep brown patina; it was procured at Naples, in 1820.

Reverse. AFRICA. In the field S. C. (See No. CLXIV.) A robed female quoiffed with an elephant's head, holds a wheat-sheaf as an emblem of fertility. At her feet is a lion, which marks her as "leonum arida nutrix;" and the figure recalls Claudian's description

"Tum spicis et dente comas insignis eburno,

Et calido rubicunda die sic Africa fatur."

This device appears to have been struck in allusion to the Emperor's native land, to which, however, though he conferred many benefits thereon, it seems he was so little attached in reality, as to order an old acquaintance to be scourged merely for recognizing him; and when his sister came over, he was ashamed of her rusticity:-Quum soror sua legitima ad eum venisset vix Latine loquens, ac de ea multum Imperator erubesceret:" yet he was honoured and regarded as a God, by the Africans.

CCCXXX.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEV. PERT. AVG. IMP. V. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax, Augustus, Imperator quintum.) The laurelled head of the Emperor characterised as above. This medal has a coat of bright green patina, forming the "ærugo nobilis ;" it was found among the ruins of Leptis Magna, in 1816.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. III. COS. II. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate, tertium, Consul iterum, Pater Patriæ.) In the field S. C. The figure of Minerva, with the spear, the parma or little round shield, and helmet, of the celebrated palladium, fabled to have been brought from Troy, and never exposed to public view. She stands exactly as on the web woven in competition with Arachne, according to the poet's description; and was allegorical of Providentia, or Prudence. See No. CCXXXVIII. CCCXXXI.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEV. PERT. AVG. IMP. V. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax, Augustus, Imperator quintum.) The laurelled head of Severus, with the hair, beard, and neck, as before. A medal covered with thin brown patina, in excellent preservation, and stamped with the Eagle of Este, or Modena; it was purchased from Mr. Young, in 1826.

Reverse. PART. ARAB. PART. ADIAB. (Parthicus Arabicus, Parthicus Adiabenicus.) In the field S. C. and on the exergum COS. II. P. P. (Consul iterum, Pater Patriæ.) Two captives in oriental garb, with their hands tied behind them, seated upon shields, and a magnificent trophy between them. This alludes to the successes of Severus, A. D. 195, when he crossed the Euphrates to chastise the Osrhoeni, Adiabeni, and Arabians. He obtained some success over the Parthians, but apparently not in open warfare, since he would not assume the title of Parthicus, which oddly enough is here twice repeated, lest he should give umbrage to that still powerful nation :

"Tela fugacis equi, et braccati militis arcus."

* In the course of my excavations at Leptis Magna-some of the fruits of which are now to be seen at Virginia Water, Windsor Park-I found many Roman medals, but only this one of Severus, who was born there.

CCCXXXII.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEV. PERT, AVG. IMP. VIII. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax, Augustus, Imperator octavum.) A very spirited and characteristic head of Severus, with the bust in armour. This beautiful medal is in the highest condition, coated with red and green patina, and is one of the best specimens of art in this reign. It was purchased in London, in 1825, having formerly been in the cabinet of Mr. Edgar.

Reverse, ADVENTVI AVG. FELICISSIMO. (Adventui Augusti felicissimo.) On the exergum S. C. The Emperor on his charger, raising his right hand; he is in his camp dress, but bare-headed. An elegant military figure leads the horse by the bridle, and bears a standard. This device commemorates the Emperor's return to Rome, not on the death of Julian, as hath been "imprinted " —but in A. D. 196, when he had been saluted Emperor for the eighth time. The first public entry of Severus was under every possible demonstration of joy; yet he committed unheard of cruelties. After commending the character of Commodus to the Senators, who had declared his memory infamous, he executed a number of their body without trial, and the city was filled with bloodshed. But an act of justice was performed, in the degradation of the Prætorians. He ordered them to attend him, without arms, and then having upbraided them in the bitterest terms for their insolence, venality, and treachery, he commanded them, after quitting their horses and badges, to retire, ignominiously, 100 miles from Rome, and not to return under pain of death. CCCXXXIII.

Obverse, L. SEPT. SEV. PERT. AVG. IMP. VIII. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax, Augustus, Imperator octavum.) A laurelled profile of the Emperor, with features less intelligent than in the last, and the bust naked. A medal covered with a deep-brown patina, and in exceedingly fine preservation; it was obtained by exchange from a friend in London, in 1825. Reverse. MVNIFICENTIA AVG. (Munificentia Augusti.) On the exergum S. C. On the exergum S. C. A large elephant, harnessed, with net-work. This type was struck A. D. 197, to commemorate the spectacles exhibited before the Emperor's second departure to reduce the Parthians. Notwithstanding his habitual avarice, Severus squandered away large treasures on the soldiers, his known maxim being to enrich the army that he might depress the other classes. But he also gave many congiaries and games to the people, most of which are duly recorded on medals; and he was, moreover, particularly careful of the supply of wine and oil for the city.

The extreme docility of the elephant seems to have been even better understood by the ancients than by the moderns, for we are assured that when Galba was Prætor, he introduced at the Floralia a new entertainment, said to have become common enough afterwards, viz. the incredible feat of elephants dancing, or walking upon ropes; and both Ælian and Columella assert that they contrived to breed the animal at Rome-whereas, except in the well-known instance mentioned by Mr. Carse, in the Philosophical Transactions, and which occurred in India, every modern attempt of the kind has failed. Cuvier, in speaking of the differences which distinguish the elephants of Africa from those of Asia, assures us that their history is given more exactly by Aristotle, than by Buffon. Yet Manilius enumerated this docile creature among the savage and noxious animals of the torrid zone :

"Horrendos angues, habitataque membra veneno,

Et mortis partus, viventia crimina terræ;

Et vastos elephantes habet, sævosque leones,
In pœnas fæcunda suas, parit horrida tellus."
CCCXXXIV.

Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. P. M. TR. P. XII. (Severus Pius, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, tribunitia potestate duodecimum.) The laureated profile of Severus, with a thick beard and bare neck. This medal has received rough treatment, but the injury is of no modern date, as it is cased with black patina; it was presented to me by Mr. A. Tulin, the British ViceConsul, at Tunis, in 1822.

Reverse. INDVLGENTIA AVGG. (Indulgentia Augustorum.) On the exergum IN CARTH. (In Carthagine.) In the field S. C. Cybele, or Astarte, as Apuleius describes her, gracefully seated on the back of a lion, which is running in the same direction as a stream from a high hill :

she wears a corrona-turrita, and holds a fulmen in one hand and a long sceptre in the other. This device was struck A. D. 203, and seems relative to a reparation of the great aqueduct which conveyed water from the Zygantes to Carthage-vast remains of which are still seen between Tunis and the Zaghwán mountains; but it is an indulgence upon which historiaus are silent. The favor was probably accomplished by a stated remission of tribute, for had it required money from the treasury, the legend would have been Munificentia instead of Indulgentia. Carthage was greatly encourged under the emperors, and became opulent: Severus honoured it with the privilege of Jus Italicum, whence it had the additional right of assuming the name of Felix.

Obverse. SEPT. severvs piVS AVG.

CCCXXXV.

(Septimius Severus Pius, Augustus.) The laurelled head of the Emperor, under the usual characteristics, and with the bust in armour. A medal in secondary, but sound condition; procured at Zante, in 1819.

Reverse. SAECVLARIA-on the exergum SACRA, S. C. Septimius Severus and his two sons sacrificing at an altar, before a large temple; on the left of the field is a tibicen playing the double flute, (see No. CCCVI.) and on the right is a musician with his lyre. From the veiled figures in the centre joining hands over the altar, and being without the patera, this type has somewhat the appearance of a marriage; but the fascia declares its object. In the foreground is the recumbent Tiber, to shew that the ceremony took place on his banks. This was struck A. D. 204, on the eighth celebration of the grand Secular Games, which, from the political disturbances, had not taken place for 116 years: and by it the relations of Herodian and Zosimus are corroborated. See Nos. XCIX. to CIV.

CCCXXXVI.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pius, Augustus.) The laureated profile of Severus, with smaller features than before, and the neck bare. A medal of yellow brass, and in good preservation, though barely patinated; it was bought at the Hon. R. E. Digby's sale, in 1825. Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XVIII. COS. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia, potestate Decimumoctavum, Consul tertium, Pater Patriæ.) On the exergum S. C. The Emperor in his campattire, armed with a lance, and accompanied by two soldiers bearing standards, stands between his two sons. On the ground is a captive. This was struck A. D. 210, to commemorate an advantage over the Picts-who, however, by ambuscades and desultory attacks, sorely harrassed their enemies.

CCCXXXVII.

Obverse. L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. (Lucius Septimius Severus Pius Augustus.) A fine and expressive profile of Severus, with the laurel wreath, and a bare neck. This coin, in very excellent condition, though unpatinated, was purchased from Mr. Young, in 1825. Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. On the exergum S. C. Two winged victories holding a shield against a palm-tree, at the foot of which two captives are sitting. This was struck about A. D. 210, on account of the same campaign as the last-but the success was dearly purchased, for the Emperor lost 50,000 men, from fatigue, hardships, and the incessant attacks and stratagems of their wily foes. By perseverance, however, he surmounted all difficulties, and compelled the Caledonians to purchase a peace; for this he was honoured with the title of Britannicus Maximus, and his son with that of Britannicus. It should be observed that the orthography of Britain on. this legend, differs from that on the medal of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, by the additional T. CCCXXXVIII.

Obverse. DIVO SEPTIMIO SEVERO PIO.

The unlaurelled head of the defunct Emperor, with placid features, and the neck naked. This medal is of yellow brass without patina, and is in very high preservation it was found near the marshes of Astura, in 1822, and fell into my possession shortly afterwards.

Reverse. CONSECRATIO. On the exergum S. C. A magnificent rogus, with elaborate decorations, surmounted by a quadrigated car, in compliment to the memory of the Emperor, whose ashes were transported to Rome. It is said that when he found his end approaching, he cried out “Omnia

fui, et nihil expedit." Then ordering the porphyry vase in which his ashes were to be inclosed to be brought "little urn," said he, "thou shalt soon contain him whom the world could not."* This pyre, having but five stories, cannot represent the septizonium of Severus, as some medallists have supposed: that towering edifice was destroyed by Sixtus Vth, is said to have been little short of the Moles Hadriana, in point of size and splendour.

JULIA DOMNA.

Julia Domna was the daughter of Bassianus, a Syrian priest of the Sun, but of mean extraction. She was born at Emessa, and would probably have passed a life of obscurity, had not her horoscope foretold that her husband would become a sovereign. Severus heard of this, and taken more by the prophecy than by her personal charms, which were very great, married her A. D. 173; the ceremony took place in the temple of Venus, and the Empress Faustina was singularly condescending on the occasion. Julia bore two sons, Caracalla and Geta, and two daughters, who were called Septimia, but whether they had any other names is not recorded. After the death of Severus, she made an attempt to maintain peace between her sons, but without success, for Geta was murdered in her arms; and though she was wounded at the same time, she dared not openly repine. After the fall of Caracalla she starved herself to death, A. D. 217, apparently more from the dread of Macrinus, than through regret for her son.

Julia was beautiful, graceful, and witty; had great talents, and affected the company of mathematicians and philosophers; but was cunning, and ambitious—and, for the honour of letters, it is to be regretted that her virtue did not equal her capacity. Without believing the odious scandal retailed by Spartian and Aurelius Victor, respecting Caracalla-but which is not mentioned by contemporary writers-it is readily seen that she disgraced Severus-as far as so passive a husband could be dishonouredand the whole court, by her profligacy. She lived, however, in apparent harmony with Severus, accompanied him on his expeditions, and was with him when he died in Britain; and the only slight which she appears to have received, was the insult given to her by Plautian, the Emperor's favourite. Brantome thinks her frailty may be excused, because she happened to bear the contaminated name of Julia ;—and a sarcasm which the wife of Argentocox, a British Prince, uttered in her presence, has been duly noted. Tristan sums up her character with great severity-" Elle estoit autant vicieuse, qu'aucune autre Imperatrice qui l' eust devancée. Comme estant superbe, arrogante, maligne, trompeuse, et artificieuse à la Syrienne;

And thus it hath been said of the Macedonian, "Magnus Alexander parvæ non sufficit urnæ.' to this sentiment :

"Ill-weaved ambition, how much art thou shrunk?
When that this body did contain a spirit,

A kingdom for it was too small a bound;

But now, two paces of the vilest earth
Is room enough."

Shakspeare finely alludes

et de plus estoit quereleuse, et lubrique, lascive, et foit subjecte à ses pluisirs.” Still her exaltation, esteem for learning, sorrows, and melancholy death, have united in giving celebrity to her name; and she herself, her sister Mæsa, and her nieces Soemias and Mamæa, had no small share in the affairs of the empire, from the days of Severus to those of Alexander. She was consecrated by Elagabalus, a fact which is only known from the medals struck on the occasion.

The coins bearing her image are rare, except in silver, and large and middlebrass; the tritest types being Pudicitia, Concordia, Felicitas, Fecunditas,* Cybele, Juno, Vesta, Diana, Venus, and Ceres. Inscribed with Domna they are more prized than when they have Pia, a name given to Julia at Rome, in honour of Fulvia Pia, the mother of Severus.† It has been disputed whether Domna is Syrian, or a Latin corruption of Domina; but it seems to be merely a family name.

CCCXXXIX.

Obverse. IVLIA DOMNA AVG. (Julia Domna Augusta.) A profile of the Empress, with remarkably handsome features, and a placid expression of countenance. The hair is curiously brought over the ears, and turned up at the back of the head. The appearance indicates a female of about 30 years of age. This medal is varnished with brown patina, and is in excellent preservation; it was procured at Alexandria, in 1822.

Reverse. VESTA. On the exergum S. C. The Empress, as Vesta, veiled and seated on a throne, with the palladium on her right hand, and a sceptre in her left. The adoration of this goddess was pretended to have been brought from Phrygia into Italy, by Æneas and his followers; and the first oblations in all sacrifices were made to her. It does not appear that there were any statues of Vesta, and Ovid expressly says "Effigiem nullam Vesta, nec ignis habent."

CCCXL.

Obverse. IVLIA PIA FELIX. AVG. (Julia Pia, Felix, Augusta.) The head of Julia, with her hair dressed in a singular taste, and her bosom robed. A fine spread patinated medal, in good condition, which was procured at Cagliari, in Sardinia, in 1824.

Reverse. VESTA MATER. On the exergum S. C. A circular temple, before which the vestal virgins, arrayed in suffibula,+ are sacrificing at an altar, whence a flame rises. This seems to have been struck on Domna's rebuilding the temple which was burnt in the reign of Commodus, and replacing the palladium therein. The name of Vesta is attributed to Terra, as typifying internal heat, and as fire produces nothing, so she was held to be the emblem of virginity, and all the world knows what awaited any of her priestesses who violated her rules. She was worshipped in a round fane possibly in allusion to the rotundity of the earth, “nullus procurrit in illo angulus," with her fire ever burning in the centre. See the last medal, and No. XC. On her temple at Rome, now a picturesque ruin, Horace gives those beautiful lines:

"Vidimus flavum Tiberim, retortis

Littore Etrusco violenter undis,
Ire dejectum monumenta regis,
Templaque Vestæ."

A medal of Domna's, which somewhat confounds Fecunditas with Tellus, as a source of fertility, must be excepted from this list. A half naked female is seated on the ground, with her left arm resting on an urn, from which issue fruit and flowers; her right hand is placed on a globe marked with stars, on the surface of which are four children, symbolical of the seasons. These are supposed to represent the two sons and two daughters of Domna," et voila" observes a French writer, le veritable symbole de la fecondite.” Addison describes this type, but he is mistaken in saying that the lady's head is crowned with turrets. + Some curious ancient clay moulds, for forging Denarii of Domna, are figured in the Philosophical Transactions for 1750; they were found at Ryton, in Shropshire.

The suffibulum, according to the useful Dictionary of Pompeius Festus, is-" Vestimentum album prætextum quadrangulum oblongum, quod in capite Vestales Virgines sacrificantes habebant, idque fibula comprehendebatur."