§ THE GODDESSES AS REPRESENTED ON THE COINAGE.

Hera (Juno). The head of Hera on coins usually wears a lofty circular crown (stephanos) adorned with floral or other patterns (Figs. [36], [37]). She also wears sometimes a crescent-shaped crown and a veil, and has often a sceptre at her shoulder.

Pallas Athene (Minerva). The head of this goddess is helmeted. Sometimes the helmet is of the Corinthian pattern [(Fig. 38)] and sometimes of the Athenian [(Fig. 39)], often richly ornamented.

Fig. 37.Fig. 38.Fig. 39.
Hera (Juno).Pallas Athene.

She is often seen in a fighting attitude, as Pallas Promachos [(Fig. 40)], wielding a spear and holding before her a shield or ægis. She is also very frequently seated with a victory in her hand and her shield beside her. The shield of Pallas is usually distinguished by the Gorgon’s head in the centre. The attributes of this goddess are the owl and the olive.

Fig. 40.
Pallas Athene.		Fig. 41.
Demeter.		Fig. 42.
Persephone (Proserpine).

Demeter (Ceres) and Persephone (Proserpine). These two goddesses are known by the corn wreath which they both wear. Demeter, the mother [(Fig. 41)], is generally veiled; the daughter, Persephone, seldom (Figs. [42], [43]). The beautiful head on the well-known Syracusan medallions (see [Frontispiece]), crowned with corn leaves, is that of Persephone. This goddess often has a poppy either in her hair or at her breast. The torch is a frequent emblem, especially of Demeter.

Fig. 43.Fig. 44.Fig. 45.
Persephone (Proserpine).Artemis (Diana).

Artemis (Diana). As the goddess of Nature in her wilder aspects, Artemis carries a bow, and at her shoulder a quiver of arrows (Figs. [44, 45]). She is often accompanied by a dog or a stag. As the Moon goddess, Selene, the crescent is her symbol. On late coins of Ephesus she appears under a totally different aspect, viz., as the embodiment of the nourishing, life-giving forces of nature, symbolised by her many breasts.

(a) Fig. 46. (b)
Aphrodite (Venus).

Aphrodite (Venus). On the coins of Eryx, in Sicily, the goddess of love is seated fully draped, with Eros (Cupid) as a youth (not a child, as in Roman art) standing before her, and with a dove in her hand. On Imperial coins of Cnidu, the famous naked Aphrodite by Praxiteles was represented. As the goddess of heaven (Aphrodite Urania), she sits upon the globe [(Fig. 46 a)], her head surmounted by the morning star, and holding in her hand a sceptre. On the reverse of the same coin [(Fig. 46 b)] are seen the sun, the moon, and the five planets.

Cybele. “The mother of the gods” wears a turreted crown. Sometimes she rides upon a lion, at other times she is seated on a throne between two lions. The rabbit is also symbolical of her worship, as an earth goddess.

Isis. This Egyptian goddess is recognised by her peculiar head-dress, consisting of a globe or disc flanked by two cow’s horns and surmounted by two ostrich feathers. In her hand she often holds the sistrum (a musical instrument). As Isis Pharia (a sea goddess) she holds a sail.

Fig. 47.Fig. 48.
Nike (Victory).

Nike (Victory). (Figs. [47, 48]). This divinity is almost always winged, and often flying (see [Frontispiece]). She usually carries a wreath; and on coins of Alexander the Great a sort of mast with a cross-yard (the stand for a trophy of arms). Sometimes she is nailing armour to a trophy [(Fig. 48)].