Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 195/196 AD
Material: Silver
Diameter: 16mm
Weight: 3.12g
Mint: Rom
Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 64
Provenance: Artemide Kunstauktionen Wien

Obverse:
You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VII for Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax Augustus Imperator (for the seventh time).

Reverse:
It shows the winged goddess of victory Victoria striding to the left with a victory wreath in her right extended hand and a trophy held in her left hand against her left shoulder. The inscription reads: ARAB ADIAB COS II P P for Arabicus Adiabenicus Consul (for the second time) Pater Patriae.

Comments:
After Septimius Severus‘ victory over his rival Pescennius Niger, Severus remained in the east and successfully waged war against the Parthians in 195 AD (as well as later in 197/198 AD). For Septimius Severus, Niger’s support of Parthian vassals served as a pretext for the successful expeditio Parthica. The war was not directed against the Parthians themselves, but only against some petty kings allied with them. Around 195/196 AD, Severus conquered the city of Nisibis, which was under the rule of Adiabene, as well as the region of Osrhoene, located in northern Mesopotamia. Both had been under Roman influence before and now finally came under Rome’s control. Because of these victories, the Roman Senate granted Septimius Severus a triumph, but the emperor rejected it („ne videretur de civili triumphare victoria“ vit. IX 10. Herod. III 9, 1). However, even before this news arrived, the Senate had decided to build a triumphal arch on the Forum in Rome. The Senate also honored him with the honorary names Adiabenicus, Arabicus and Parthicus. Titles which can be found on numerous coins and inscriptions in the most diverse combinations – as also on the denarius presented here. In this historical context stands the Victoria depicted here with victory wreath and trophy on the reverse of the coin and refers directly to the victories of Septimius Severus over Nisibis and Osrhoene.

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