01-18-2005, 05:45 AM
RE: The Gemma Tiberiana<br>
<br>
Thanks, Theo, for posting that nice close-up. Also, gratias to John Maddox Roberts for your commentary. I believe the scene of a soldier's mother handing him a helmet is depicted on some Greek vases; if that is what is going on here, the female figure facing Germanicus would be Antonia, his mother-- she's placing the helmet on her son's head, and his hand-to-top-of-helmet gesture is not a "salute," per say, but just him adjusting it. The figure facing Germanicus, holding the lituus, is the Emperor Tiberius. The "augur's wand" is proper for his role as Pontifex Maximus.<br>
<br>
The Gemma Tiberiana is usually taken to represent Germanicus returning home victorious from his German campaigns and "saluting" his emperor. If you're right, John, it might more properly represent him setting out on campaign instead.<br>
<br>
T. Flavius Crispus<br>
Leg VI VPF<br>
CA, USA <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Thanks, Theo, for posting that nice close-up. Also, gratias to John Maddox Roberts for your commentary. I believe the scene of a soldier's mother handing him a helmet is depicted on some Greek vases; if that is what is going on here, the female figure facing Germanicus would be Antonia, his mother-- she's placing the helmet on her son's head, and his hand-to-top-of-helmet gesture is not a "salute," per say, but just him adjusting it. The figure facing Germanicus, holding the lituus, is the Emperor Tiberius. The "augur's wand" is proper for his role as Pontifex Maximus.<br>
<br>
The Gemma Tiberiana is usually taken to represent Germanicus returning home victorious from his German campaigns and "saluting" his emperor. If you're right, John, it might more properly represent him setting out on campaign instead.<br>
<br>
T. Flavius Crispus<br>
Leg VI VPF<br>
CA, USA <p></p><i></i>
T. Flavius Crispus / David S. Michaels
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius
