Close
Logo
Cart (0)
Login
Register
0
Selected 
Invert selection
Deselect all
Deselect all
 Click here to refresh results
 Click here to refresh results
Go to Login page
 Hide details
play button
Conceptually similar
ART381934 
ART381938 
ART504917 
ART381921 
ART381943 
ART306999 
ART492213 
ART307005 
ART382006 
ART504918 
ART307015 
ART504911 
ART365782 
ART381922 
ART307000 
ART307007 
ART365810 
ART365809 
ART381930 
ART504913 
Brass sestertius of Hadrian, Roman, early 2nd CE. D: approx. 3.5cm. Inv. CE RM3.1672.   - All Roman emperors found it vital to stay popular with the soldiers. The usual way for an emperor to make contact with the common soldier was through the ritual of the adlocutio, or imperial address. These morale-boosting talks are depicted on the reverses of many coins of the early Empire. On this particular coin the Emperor Hadrian is before the army of Britain. He is on horseback, looking like he has just arrived. His horse appears to be drawing to a halt - an elegant pose known as diatrochazein, much favoured in classical and renaissance art for equestrian statues. Hadrian holds his hand above his head to attract the attention of the troops he is about to address. Only the front of the legion is shown: the standard-bearers wearing their traditional lion-skin headresses. The legend below reads EXERC[ITVS] BRITANNICVS ('army of Britain'). 
Location British Museum/London/Great Britain
Unique Identifier ART307014 
Type Image 
Purpose Public 
Size 3600px × 1794px 
Photo Credit © The Trustees of the British Museum / Art Resource, NY 
 Add to lightbox
 Add to cart
Tags
2nd century CE
Brass
Coin
Hadrian, Emperor (r.117-138)
Sesterce, Roman Coin