Julia Domna Pentassarion Pautalia Thrace 193-217 Three Graces (or Charites)
Julia Domna as Augusta, AE Pentassarion, Pautalia, Thrace, 193-217
3,000.00$Staal 18.1.1 var. (rev. legend); Ruzicka 449 var. (same); Varbanov 886 var. (same).
Obv.: IOVLIA DOMNA CEBA, draped bust of Julia Domna right.
Rev.: OVLPIAC PAVTALIAC, the Charites(Graces) dancing arm-in-arm: Aglaea and Thalia seen from front, each holding an urn from which water flows, Euphrosyne seen from behind.
15.13 g
29.4 mm
Ex. Harlan J. Berk, Buy or Bid Sale 211, 30 June 2020, lot 434 (Hammered 1500$US); Ex. Classical Numismatic Group, Triton IX, Session 3, 10 January 2006, lot 1519(Hammered 1150$US).
Smoothing.
In Hesiod's Theogony, the Charites are the three daughters of Zeus: Aglaea ("Splendor"), Euphrosyne ("Joy"), and Thalia ("Good Cheer"), by the Oceanid Eurynome.
The Charites are often depicted as three young, beautiful women holding hands and dancing in a circle. They are usually adorned with myrtle wreaths, and sometimes they hold roses or dice, symbols of love and fortune, respectively. These goddesses are the epitome of grace and charm. They are often seen as benevolent figures who bring joy and beauty into the lives of both gods and mortals. Their personalities are not as complex as those of the Olympian gods; they are straightforward in their mission to spread grace and beauty.
The Charites share some intriguing similarities with the Muses, the goddesses of artistic inspiration. Both groups serve as sources of divine inspiration, but while the Muses are more focused on the intellectual and artistic realms, the Charites govern the emotional and social dimensions of life. The Muses inspire poets, musicians, and scholars, providing the creative spark for works of art and literature. The Charites, on the other hand, inspire the subtler arts of charm, beauty, and social grace. They are the ones you’d invoke before a social gathering, while you’d call upon the Muses when you’re about to embark on an artistic endeavor.
______________________________
In stock