JUDAEA. Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem). Elagabalus, 218-222. AE (Bronze, 30 mm, 17.28 g, 12 h). IMP C M AVR ANTONINVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind. Rev. COL AVR AEL CAP COMM / [P F] She-wolf standing right, head facing, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. BMC 77-8. Kadman, Aelia -. Meshorer, Aelia 117b. RPC VI online 9018. Samel -. Shoshana -. SNG ANS 623. Sofaer 102. Repatinated and with small spots of corrosion on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.



The reverse of this coin vividly illustrates the extent to which Jerusalem had been Romanized. The legend may be expanded as Colonia Aurelia Aelia Capitolina Commodiana Pia Felix. Aelia refers to Hadrian’s nomen Aelius and Capitolina to Jupiter Capitolinus; Commodiana Pia Felix had been added under Commodus, while Aurelia was adopted under Elagabalus in reference to his imperial name, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

The reverse type is equally programmatic: the Lupa Romana with Romulus and Remus was one of the most distinctive symbols of Rome. Together, legend and image emphatically assert the city’s Roman colonial identity: Jerusalem appears here under its Roman name and with one of the archetypal symbols of Rome itself.