Pergamon (AD 193-211) AE 44 - Septimius Severus & Julia Domna

Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, 193-211 AD. AE44 - Medallion (44.16g). AVT KAI Λ CEΠ CEOVHPOC ΠEP around, IOV ΔOMNA CEBACTH below, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus facing draped bust of Julia Domna, laureate head of Caracalla in small round countermark between them / EΠI CTPA KΛAVΔIANOV TEPΠANΔP-OV around, ΠEPΓAMHNΩN / B NEOKOPΩN in exergue, Ariadne, sleeping in cave, is discovered by attendants of Dionysus; she reclines left, head facing, drapery around legs and behind back, right arm resting on head, left arm at side; she is surrounded by a row of rocks, apparently indicating a cave; above, the upper bodies of a Maenad holding thyrsus and wreath and a satyr extending left hand and holding pedum in right. Black Patina. Rare and a charming mythological representation. About extremely fine.

Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete, fell in love with Theseus and gave him the thread which guided him out of the Labyrinth after he killed the Minotaur. She then fled with Theseus, but he left her on Naxos, where Dionysus came upon her sleeping and married her.