2019-11-25 Mon

Roman coinage is one of the most studied and collected momentary systems across the global. Its most interesting aspect is the different animals depicts on them. These coins offer a few of the most beautiful illustrations of animals on coins. It is because the Roman culture had a deep connection with the fauna through domestic, religious and entertainment ways. It is also clear through one strange fact of the colossus, that it was used as a cross between a circus and zoo.

The variation in which animals are depicted on this coinage can be divided into six categories. The categories discussed here are animals with carts and carriages. The concepts were two animals pulling a chariot are usually called a Biga. It was used in Rome for sport, transportation, and ceremonies. The common animal on this chariot was a horse but of art or architecture or even on ceremonies it was replaced by other animals. The driver of the biga was bigarus. In general philosophy, biga represents the moon.

In the above-shown image, the coin depicts biga pulled snakes. The silver denarius depicts goddess Ceres holding the torch and two snakes pulling the chariot. The snakes are associated with health and medicine in the Roman mythology, it is believed that they consist of the power to heal.

The chariot is not only drawn by two animals but they also pulled by three to four animals. The chariot drawn by three animals is called Triga and by four animals is called a Quadriga.

Image Courtesy: American Numismatic Society