The Abraham Cowley
Text and Image Archive
Earth the Planter / Four Seasons' Fecundity
 |
 |
Hadrian, AR denarius, RIC 276 (134-38 AD).
Obv.: Hadrian laureate head r., HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Rev.: Earth as a peasant-woman, one breast bared, with plow and rake, two wheat-ears behind, TELLVS STABIL
 |
Caracalla, AR denarius, RIC 153 (198-217 AD; struck 206-10 AD).
Obv.: Caracalla laureate head r., ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Rev.: The four seasons as active boys, FELICIA TEMPORA (lit., "Happy Times"), Spring with basket of flowers on his head, Summer with a sickle, Fall with rabbit or kid by the forelegs and plate of fruit, and Winter in hood with a hare or a capon and bird on a stick
 |
 |
Julia Domna, AR denarius, RIC 549 (193-211 AD; struck 207 AD). Obv.: Julia Domna head r., IVLIA AVGVSTA
Rev.: Earth reclining with starred globe and a basket beneath grapevine with children, FECVNDITAS