The “As de Nîmes”, a Roman Coin and the Myth of Antony and Cleopatra: Octavian and Agrippa victorious over Antony
Résumé
evolving from a “republic” into an empire, led to a political propaganda. The four series of the “As
de Nîmes”, bronze coins struck under Augustus and Agrippa, commemorate the capture of Egypt
and the establishment of veterans in Nemausus (Nîmes, France).
The iconography of this Roman coin is related to the specific history between 28 BC and 14 AD of
Octavian and his general Agrippa, who defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, as
expressed on the reverse, where a crocodile chained to a palm is depicted. Both palm and crocodile
symbolize not only the capture of Egypt, but also the defeat of Mark Antony. The palm represents
also the “victory” in a grotesque scene in which his love for Cleopatra converted Antony into a
loser. It is then concluded that these coins preserve the memory of Octavian’s victory over the
iconic figure of Antony.
Texte intégral :
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Renvois
- Il n'y a présentement aucun renvoi.