The Abraham Cowley
Text and Image Archive
Hope in flower / Best of princes
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Trajan, 98-117. Denarius. Obv.: Trajan. Rev.: Hope (Spes) with flower. Inscr.: COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI.
The figure of Hope hitching skirt and advancing with flower appears based on the (usually left) profile of archaic Kore or "Persephone" statues (thanks to Jasper Burns for this connection). Later Roman depictions fuse this figure with that of Eternity holding a phoenix:
Faustina, Empress, d. 141. Obv.: Faustina r. Inscr.: DIVA FAVSTINA. Rev.: Empress as Eternity with phoenix on globe. Inscr.: AETERNITAS.
Carinus, 283-85. Antoninianus. Obv.: Carinus in armor with radiate crown r. Rev.: Eternity with phoenix on globe. Inscr.: AETERNIT AVGG
Public Trust Bearing Fruit -- Mars Born of a Flower / Mother Juno -- Cosmic Coordinates / Empire without End
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