01-22-2002, 10:40 PM
A question for some of our learned naval-types:<br>
<br>
Marcus Antonius issued a well known series of silver denarii honoring the 23 legions that served in his final campaign (that ended at Actium in -31). Each has on the reverse an aquilia flanked by two standards, and the inscription "LEG--#" (the # being, of course, the number of the legion). There were also issues for his guards. But all coins had the same obverse, a war galley under oars. The traditional description is "Praetorian Galley". Was this a normal term used in the Roman navy (for a 'flagship', perhaps)? Or is it simply the conciet of some 18th century numismatist (the term was in use at lease since that time)?<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
John <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Marcus Antonius issued a well known series of silver denarii honoring the 23 legions that served in his final campaign (that ended at Actium in -31). Each has on the reverse an aquilia flanked by two standards, and the inscription "LEG--#" (the # being, of course, the number of the legion). There were also issues for his guards. But all coins had the same obverse, a war galley under oars. The traditional description is "Praetorian Galley". Was this a normal term used in the Roman navy (for a 'flagship', perhaps)? Or is it simply the conciet of some 18th century numismatist (the term was in use at lease since that time)?<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
John <p></p><i></i>