| Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra VII right., Bare head of Marc Antony right., Tetradrachm representing the famous couple formed by Cleopatra VII, last queen of Egypt, and Mark Antony, one of the triumvirs, a close associate of Caesar and enemy of Octavian. Our example features a damaged, grainy flan, fissured on the obverse and covered with marks on both sides.
The estimated minting date of our coin, 36 BC, is not anodyne: this is the year in which Mark Antony allied himself with Egypt to fight the Parthians. Despite the disaster this campaign represented, it solidified Mark Antony's power in the East and his bond with Cleopatra. At odds with Octavian, the deterioration in their relationship was further marked by the fact that Mark Antony, married to Octavia, sister of the future Augustus, abandoned her to join Egypt. Moreover, the issue of coins bearing the names and/or portraits of the two lovers - such as our tetradrachm - was a further affront to Octavian, who wanted to avenge his sister. From 32 BC onwards, war was declared on Cleopatra, whom Octavian judged to be an enemy of Rome and responsible for Marc Antony's behavior. The Battle of Actium in 31 BC was the final blow for the two lovers. Taking refuge in Egypt, Marc Antony finally committed suicide the following year, closely followed by Cleopatra.
Our copy, although very worn, still shows Cleopatra's bust on the obverse, whose facial features are strongly reminiscent of those of Marc Antony. This choice testifies to the alliance between the two. While Cleopatra shows the need for Marc Antony's support by taking on his physical features, the reverse is also true: she is represented on the obverse, as the issuer and therefore in possession of power., BACIΛICCA KΛ[ЄOΠATPA Θ]ЄA NЄѠTЄPA, ANTѠNIOC AVTOKPATѠP TPITON TP[IѠN ANΔPѠN] |
- Conformity
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