Coinage of Antioch
Military Iconography
Signa: military standards with discs on them, usually surmounted by an eagle or laurel wreath.
Vexillum: Military “flag” carried by legions, consists of a pole and horizontal bar with a rectangle of fabic hanging from it.
Aquila: Eagle that rests atop the vexillum, symbol of the Roman legions
These coins feature a vexillum and aquila in the center with signa on either side surmounted by laurel wreaths. In the exergue of the coin is SR. This type was struck in cites along routes that the Roman army marched back and forth on. Thus, this military legacy echoes the significance of Antioch's position along the Via Sebaste.
The reverse of this coin displays a river-god reclining to the left with reeds growing behind him. The inscription ANTHIO identifies him as the river Anthius. The figure can be identified as a river god based on the urn beneath his left elbow, from which water flows. This icnongraphy was common in Greek and Roman art to depict river-gods. Many cities were located near main waterways on which they depended for survival. Becuase of this, river-gods are a communal symbol of a specific place, similar in function to a Tyche.
Genius and Tyche of Antioch