MESOPOTAMIA. Rhasaena. Caracalla, 198-217. AE (Bronze, 15 mm, 3.73 g, 1 h), 211-217. [KAIC]AP ANTO[...] Laureate head of Caracalla to right.
Rev. [LEG] - III / [P] - S Vexillum; at its base, eagle standing facing with wings displayed and head turned to right. Castelin 3 var. (without eagle). SNG Righetti 2624-5 var. (without eagle). Scattered pitting
, otherwise, nearly very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
Legio I, II and III Parthicae were created as elite units by Septimius Severus in 197 for his campaign against the Parthians. After the conclusion of the war, the three legions were strategically deployed by the emperor in different fashions: Legio II moved to Castra Albana near Rome, becoming the first legion to be garrisoned in Italy, its presence threatening anyone thinking about challenging Severan authority in the capital. Legio I and III, on the other hand, remained in Mesopotamia, being stationed at Singara and Rhasaena, respectively, bolstering the Roman defences against any future Parthian incursions.
Interestingly, all three legions had centaurs as their emblems. The present coin was issued in Rhasaena, no doubt under the auspices of the third Parthica. Its reverse shows the legion's vexilleum with an eagle at its base.
