Earthquake and Coins

 

''While the emperor was tarrying in Antioch a terrible earthquake occurred'' Cassius Dio, Epitome of book LXVIII, referring to Trajan. 

Natural disasters are disturbing events. If they are severe, there are many deaths, and a lot of relief work is required. People elsewhere become fearful that it may happen near them too. Coins were struck, later maybe to send messages to the population. Here are a few possibilities that relate to earthquakes.

                       

Denarius, Trajan, 98-117 AD, standing and being protected by Jupiter

Cassius Dio gives a very graphic description of the terror of the earthquake experienced by the emperor Trajan, the deaths, and the miraculous survivors. Many distinguished Romans had gathered in Antioch to gain access to Trajan while he spent the winter of 114-115 AD there. The quake affected the complete Roman society, but fortunately the emperor survived. He exited the room through a window.

                       

Denarius, Trajan, 98-117 AD, weight 3.1 gm, Obverse: Laureate draped bust right, Reverse: Jupiter standing holding thunderbolt in right hand and scepter in left hand behind, protecting Trajan (who holds a branch under his right arm). 

Dio says ''Some being, of greater than human stature, had come to him and led him forth, so that he could escape with a few injuries'', and this Denarius, struck a year later shows Jupiter with Trajan under his protecting arm. It seems very likely that this was supposed to send the message that Jupiter's protection of the emperor was real and to reassure the population as well.

Some of these coins show the emperor carrying a flower in the attitude of Spes, personification of Hope, a typical reference to the expectation which would be fulfilled during a new reign. These coins might also be making a point that the emperors were supreme under Jupiter, the chief god of the Romans, and the thunderbolt he carries awaits the enemies

                          

Denarius, Hadrian, 117-138 AD, silver, weight 3 gm, Obverse: Bare head right, Reverse: Tellus standing left holding rake in left arm, grasping handle of plough in right hand, two stalks and ears of grain on the right.

The legend on this denarius of Hadrian from 133 AD, TELLVS STABIL, refers to the stability of the earth, so like Trajan's coin, it has been conjectured that it might have some reference to the aftermath of an earthquake. Hadrian was known to have provided disaster relief for at least one earthquake, in Nicomedia, which had been shaken shortly before he arrived there for the winter of 123-124 AD. It was a tribute to the stability of his reign. Tellus, a personification of the earth, is shown holding a rake and a plough, with corn growing alongside, the bountiful earth.