a patera in her right hand, and a sceptre, indicating the authority of her decisions, in the left. Astræa is sometimes represented with the balance, but here the sacred saucer may signify the sacrifices offered up to the Emperor, for his strict administration of justice. In no department of government did Hadrian's genius display itself better than in this. He reformed the body of laws, and compressed them into a Code which was to continue in force for ever, under the name of THE PERPETUAL EDICT, in order to prevent the confusion arising from the recurrence of new ordinances, and to serve as a guide and rule in all the tribunals of the Empire. This beneficial design was originally conceived by Cæsar; but it was reserved for Salvius Julianus, an erudite civilian, to digest and compose it, and for Hadrian to ratify it as an invaluable standard of civil jurisprudence. SABINA. Julia Sabina was the daughter of Matidia, the grand-daughter of Marciana, and grand-niece to Trajan, but we are ignorant of the name and rank of her father. She was greatly beloved by Trajan; and being regarded as the heiress of the Empire, the politic Hadrian was very assiduous in paying his court to her. Still all his endeavours would probably have been fruitless, had not Plotina befriended him. He married Sabina A. D. 100; but notwithstanding the splendour of her dower, she passed a life of bitter anxiety, and perished A. D. 137, either by her own hand, or by poison, either extremity being the effect of Hadrian's cruelty and rigour; "etiam Sabina uxor, non sine fabulâ veneni dati ab Hadriano, defuncta est," is the assertion of Spartian.* From the brilliancy of the Emperor's career, authors have started forth to vindicate even his vices; and poor Sabina has been painted as a shrew with little eyes, wrinkled forehead, and a sharp nose-unerring symptoms of the peevishness by which, it is said, her husband's ill-usage of her may be excused. Now medals and marbles will fully bear out the assertions of other writers, that she was one of the finest women of her time; and, as Tristan has observed, her countenance itself expresses those virtues for which she was distinguished, and which justified him in adding" veritablement elle estoit sage, vertueuse, et magnanime." Her features have certainly a grave expression, but the being united to Hadrian was sufficient to banish gaiety from the face of any female. Yet she dutifully accompanied him in all his journeys, though in addition to her other cares, she was treated with contumelious indignity. It is admitted that while in Britain, the Emperor dismissed the celebrated Suetonius Tranquillus, his secretary, and Septimius The late discoveries in Hieroglyphic reading have shewn that the fine obelisk on Monte Pincio, at Rome, was dedicated to the memory of Antinous, in the joint names of Hadrian and Sabina! Clarus an officer of the guards, for disrespectful behaviour to her; but as their disgrace was expressly owing to their having acted thus without his permission, we may imagine that she was usually treated with very little ceremony by the courtiers who watched the nod of their master. This consideration, coupled with other glaring and odious facts, may easily account for the bitter and otherwise hateful expression which is said to have fallen from her; "ne ex eo, humani generis pernicies gravidaretur." There is nothing historically particular in the Latin medals of Sabina, though they are abundant in every metal, and--if we include Greek and Colonial-in every form. Those of large-brass are valued in proportion to their perfection, and rarity of reverse, for when in middling condition their price is very low;-the Consecration, the Carpentum, and the bust of Hadrian, are the scarcest,-but the genuineness of the last is questioned. A striking peculiarity belongs to the series, in that there are two distinct head-dresses,the one in the elaborate style of Matidia, and the other somewhat after the clubbed fashion of Antonia and the Agrippinas. CLXXXVIII. Obverse. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG. P. P. (Sabina Augusta, Hadriani Augusti, (scilicet uxor,) Patris Patriæ.) The portrait of Sabina, with her hair beautifully tressed round her head to a rich frontal diadem; the features are fine and expressive of dignity, the neck is well turned, and the shoulders are covered with a robe. It is thought that the Empress was honoured with the title of Augusta, on the very day that Hadrian became an Augustus. This splendid medal is densely coated with a dark-green patina, and is in surprising preservation; I purchased it at Pola, in Istria, in 1819. Reverse. S. C. (Senatus consultu) on the exergum. A female veiled, and robed in the suffibulum, is seated on a curious cista; she holds a torch, the symbol of the search after Proserpine, in her left hand, and some ears of wheat, as the inventress of tillage, in her right. This probably represents Sabina herself in the character of Ceres,-for in a second-brass medal of this Empress, we find her profile crowned with corn. The worship of Ceres at Rome was anterior to that of Jupiter and Juno; she was usually described "mammis cum grandibus," but otherwise as a handsome and stately female, who delighted in beautiful meadows, and perpetual springs. "La Guerre est enemye mortelle de la Deesse," saith old Du Choul, and whoever has seen corn-fields after a skirmish, will very readily agree with him. CLXXXIX. Obverse. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG. P. P. (Sabina Augusta, Hadriani Augusti, Patris Patriæ.) An expressive profile of the Empress, with the hair bound by an anadema, and hanging at the back of her neck. This medal is in good condition, and slightly varnished with a brown patina; it was presented to me by Mr. T. Burgon, in 1825. Reverse. IVNONI REGINAE. In the field S. C. Juno stands in the dress of a Roman matron, with a sacred patera in her right hand, and the wand of divinity in her left: it being a compliment to place the Augusta of the Romans with the Queen of the Gods. Juno Regina, or Martialis, was greatly venerated in Rome as the sovereigu dispenser of empire and riches; whence Ovid, "Cur igitur Regina vocor, princepsque deorum?. Aurea cur dextræ sceptra dedere meæ ?" CXC. Obverse. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG. P. P. (Sabina Augusta, Hadriani Augusti, Patris Patriæ.) A fine profile of Sabina, in bold relief, with a pleasing expression, fine neck, and shoulders covered with drapery. This medal is in excellent condition though scarcely patinated, and was procured at Nice, in 1823. Reverse. VENERI GENETRICI. In the field S. C. A very elegant female, in light robes, stands in an easy attitude, holding part of her drapery with one hand, and an apple in the other. The last evidently alludes to the prize obtained from Paris; but the throwing of the apple in love-feasts is also mentioned by Artemidorus, and alluded to by Virgil: "Malo me Galatea petit, lasciva puella; Et fugit ad salices, et se cupit antè videri." There were several goddesses of the name of Venus among the ancients; but the illustrious "Orta salo, suscepta solo, patre edita Cœlo And Lucretius, writing of the nature and origin of things, thus finely invokes her :- Alma Venus, Cœli subter labentia signa Quæ mare navigerum, quæ terras frugiferentes Concelebras. CXCI. Hence Obverse. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG. P. P. (Sabina Augusta, Hadriani Augusti, Patris Patriæ.) The profile of Sabina, with a good and sensible expression of character, the hair bound by an anadema, a finely-turned neck, and the shoulders covered by a robe. This medal is coated with a chocolate-coloured patina, and is in perfect preservation; I purchased it from an Arab, at Zowarah, near Tripoli, in 1816. Reverse. CONCORDIA AVG. (Concordia Augusti.) In the field S. C. A female in the robes of a Roman matron standing against a small column, which signifies stability, bears a double cornucopia on her left arm, to denote the abundance and beneficial effects of mutual agreement; and she holds forth the sacred patera. This memorial of the harmony between Hadrian and his wife, must have been struck in the spirit of a monumental lie, for a Senatus Consultum could hardly be deemed a mere compliment. Notwithstanding Concord was a favourite deity, as a beneficent promoter of family affection, we may gather from Juvenal that her fane was somewhat ruinous: "O gold! though Rome beholds no altar's flame, No temples rise to thy pernicious name, Such as to Victory, Virtue, Faith are rear'd, And CONCORD, where the clamorous stork is heard, Yet is thy full divinity confest, Thy shrine establish'd here, in every breast." CXCII. Obverse. DIVA AVGVSTA SABINA. The veiled head of the unfortunate Empress, with a placid expression of countenance. This medal is unpatinated, and in secondary though sound condition; it was purchased at Mr. Trattle's sale, in 1832. Reverse. CONSECRATIO. On the lower verge S. C. The Empress, with a sceptre, ascending to heaven on the back of a flying eagle. After her death, Hadrian may have been pleased to procure his hapless wife a consecration, being regardless whither she was consigned, provided he was left unshackled in his vicious courses. It is, however, more probable that the diva was conferred by the authority of Antoninus Pius, as Hadrian died shortly after Sabina. ELIUS CESAR. Lucius Aurelius Cejonius Commodus Verus was the son of Cejonius Commodus, a man of consular rank, descended from an illustrious Hetrurian family. He was adopted about A. D. 135, by the name of Lucius Ælius Verus; and Cæsar now first appears upon medals as an adjunct title of the presumptive heir to the throne. He was elected Consul A. D. 136, created Prætor, and sent to govern Pannonia, where he acquitted himself with considerable credit; but habitual debauchery having broken a weak constitution, he returned to Rome, and died A. D. 138, on the very day appointed for him to deliver a florid eulogium in honour of Hadrian's kindness to him. Ælius possessed some good qualities, and accomplishments, but the motives which induced his unexpected adoption by Hadrian are more than suspicious. His capacity for ruling did not rise above mediocrity; for it was remarked that he was rather “not unfit" for the empire, than equal to it. He married Domitia Lucilla, the daughter of Nigrinus, who was put to death by Hadrian in the beginning of his reign. By her he had Lucius Verus, who was afterwards Emperor, and Fabia, who was betrothed to Marcus Aurelius, but never married to him: it is said that after the funeral of Faustina she made a “dead set” at him again, but the Philosopher did not think it advisable to subject his children to the authority of a step-mother. Ælius treated Lucilla with disdainful neglect, telling her that wife was a title of honour, not of pleasure;—but what better could be expected from an effeminate sensualist, whose studies were latterly confined to Ovid's Amours and Martial's Epigrams; whose bed was decked with lilies and roses; and who, on his journeys, had his chariot attended by domestics with wings to their clothes, attired like so many Cupids? The medals of Ælius are rare in the precious metals, but common in large and middle-brass. There are no small-brass Latin coins; but Greek, Colonial, and Egyptian specimens of that series, may be obtained. They are not of high historical importance; on which account, though I have had fair types of Concordia, Spes, Fortuna, Pietas, and Salus, I restricted my small cabinet to the two about to be described, as possessing the greatest interest. A numismatic hallucination must be noticed here. Many antiquaries have contended stoutly to obtain for Domitia Lucilla, that medal of the wife of the Emperor Verus which is inscribed FECVNDITAS, on the presumption that Domitia bad three, or more children, and Annia Lucilla but two. Moreover a remarkable circumstance is advanced in favour of the claim, viz: that all the other medals of Annia Lucilla have the distinctive legend LVCILLA ANTONINI AVG. F. while Q the contested one bears only LVCILLA AVGVSTA. Now both the features and the fashion of the likeness on the medal are opposed to this supposition; besides which, so far from Domitia's obtaining the rank of Augusta, her very existence has been rendered disputable from her not being mentioned by Spartian. In fine, there are no genuine medals in honour of the wife of Elius Cæsar; and those described as such by Occo, Biragi, Cooke, and others, are unquestionably misapplied. CXCII. Obverse. AELIVS CAESAR. A naked head, with curly hair, a beard, and handsome features. This medal is in superior condition, and thickly coated with a deep-brown patina; it was found at Port Baratto, in Tuscany, (the site of Populonia,) in 1823, and immediately afterwards came into my possession. Reverse. TR. POT. COS. II. (Tribunitia potestate, Consul iterum.) On the exergum S. C. Fortune, with her rudder and cornucopiæ, is meeting Hope, who advances in light vestments, and bears the blossom before her. See No. XXXIX. This elegant device alludes to the fortunate exaltation of Elius, and the expectation of his becoming Emperor. But the hope was vain, and Hadrian-who had celebrated the adoption with magnificent games, a public largess, and a douative to the soldiers-could not conceal his chagrin, on perceiving that the Cæsar was passing to a sepulchre rather than a throne: "In caducum," said he, if we may credit Spartian, "parietem nos inclinavimus, et perdidimus quater millies H. S. quod populo et militibus pro adoptione Commodi dedimus." Alluding to the approaching apotheosis of the sickening Cæsar, the Emperor exclaimed-" Ego Divum adoptavi, non filium; and the event verified his prediction. CXCIII. Obverse. L. AELIVS CAESAR. The naked head of Elius, with curly hair and beard, and a very handsome countenance. This medal was struck A. D. 137; it is of pale-yellow brass, and in good preservation though unpatinated. I purchased it at Rome, in 1823. Reverse. TR. POT. COS. II. (Tribunitia potestate, Consul iterum.) Across the field PANNONIA, with S. C. under it. A stolated female with a crenate mitre, stands as a personification of the Province which was governed by Elius. In her right hand she holds a labarum, in token of the valour of her people; and with her left gathers up part of her vest before her, as if containing something. ANTONINUS PIUS. Titus Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus, the son of Titus Aurelius Fulvius and Arria Fadilla, was born at Lanuvium, a town of Latium, A. D. 86. From his youth he behaved himself in a very dutiful and obliging manner to all his relations, which proved the means of his being greatly enriched by legacies; and he acquitted himself in his public employments with reputation and success. Having attained the fasces A. D. 120, he became one of the four appointed to govern Italy, and afterwards served as Pro-consul in Asia, where he gained the attachment of persons of all ranks and parties. On the death of Elius he was * It should be noted that the above is an extract from Spartian's Life of Hadrian; and that, in the Ælius Verus of the same author, the Sesterces are reduced to "ter millies." |