Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus

WillieBoyd2

Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus

December 25 is the birthday of the Roman Sun God, Sol Invictus

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means "the birthday of the unconquered Sun".

The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped
collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god, Sol, the god of Emperor
Aurelian, and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.

Emperor Elagabalus (AD 218-222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height
of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.

The festival was placed on the date of the solstice because this was on this day
that the Sun reversed its southward retreat and proved itself to be
"unconquered".

These coins are from the emperors Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161), Aurelian (AD 270-275),
and Constantine (AD 306-337).


Antoninus Pius Provincial AE 23 - Emesa, Syria
Obverse: Laureate bust right
AVT KAI TI AIL ANTWNEINOC CEB EV
Reverse: Eagle standing right on sacred stone of Elagabal, B in right field
EMICHNWN
Catalog: BMC 1, SNG Cop-307, 309


Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus with Captive
Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left, right hand raised, holding globe, captive at foot
ORIENS AVG - Exergue: S (Serdica mint)
Catalog: RIC Serdica 276


Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus Walking
Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
Reverse: Sol walking right with laurel-branch and bow, treading down an enemy
ORIENS AVG, letter A to left - Exergue: XXIR (Rome mint)
Catalog: RIC Rome 64


Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Ticinum Mint
Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand
SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: ST (Ticinum Mint)
Catalog: RIC Ticinum 8 - Struck AD 313-314 - Size: 19mm


Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Rome Mint
Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand, captive to left of Sol
SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: RP (Rome Mint)
Catalog: RIC Rome 2 - Struck around AD 326 - Size: 19mm

CIVITAS

Here's a Rome mint coin with a wreath in the field in front of Sol. Ironic foreshadowing?

Bailathacl

WillieBoyd2

I forgot that I had this coin with Sol from the Man himself:



Elagabalus Denarius - Sol
Obverse: Laureate and draped bust right
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Reverse: Sol advancing left with raised hand and whip
PM TRP II II COS III PP
Catalog: RIC 40

WillieBoyd2

Once again it's that time of year.

Happy Sol Invictus!

WillieBoyd2

Once again it's that time of year.

Happy Sol Invictus!

NiceCurrency

Aethelred

Humbug!

;-)

ProofArtworkonCircs

If anybody is wondering why the Romans said December 25 is the solstice and we say December 21 or 22, there is a logical explanation.
The council of Nicaea occurred in 325. It set the date of Easter. When the Gregorian calendar was invented, it restored the year to what it was in 325.

Extending the Gregorian calendar backwards into history, 100, 200 and 300 would not be leap years. So for dates around the year 1, subtract 3 days from the date to put it on the Gregorian system. 25 - 3 = 22. The Romans were right after all.

determined

Wonderful Christmas related post and coins Willie! Your yearly post is becoming a tradition.

The history of Christmas and it's traditions, aside from the birth, is a fascinating subject. Many of our customs going back to the Celts.

Celtic Christmas

PAC, thanks for explaining the calendar. I thrive on historical minutiae.

WillieBoyd2

Once again, it's that time of year.



Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus!

NiceCurrency

WillieBoyd2

Happy Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus!

Andres

WillieBoyd2

Happy Sol Invictus Day!

WillieBoyd2

Happy Sol Invictus Birthday!