Apollo as a precedent to the coinage of Sol Invictus Articles uri icon

authors

  • PEREZ YARZA, LORENA

publication date

  • December 2018

start page

  • 377

end page

  • 397

issue

  • 58

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0044-5975

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1588-2543

abstract

  • The purpose of this paper is to produce an approach to Sol through Numismatics. I intend to
    point out the possible correspondences existing between the god Sol, referred to as Sol Invictus in histori-
    ography,1 and Apollo. While the solar facet of Phoebus Apollo is well known, to what extent he exerted
    an influence over Sol Invictus has yet to be elucidated. Comparing types and chronologies plus describing
    correspondences between the two gods in an homogeneous process may actually constitute a different ap-
    proach. Three aspects will be taken into consideration: iconography exchange, the chronological relation-
    ship and the propagandistic function of coin legends. The aim is to incorporate the knowledge thus gained
    into a critical analysis of Sol in the 3rd century.

keywords

  • sol invictus; apollo; numismatics; conservator; propaganda