Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 2,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (thunder and lightning): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1925)

370 Ianus bifrontal on coins

series of Romano-Campanian silver1. Certain electrum pieces, struck
—it would seem—at Capua during the occupation of that town by
the Carthaginians in the Hannibalic war (216—211 B.C.)*give the
twofold face a frankly feminine cast and, adding a corn-wreath,
transform the Italian Ianus into a Punic Persephone (fig. 271)2.

In imperial times Commodus was evidently a special devotee of
the old sky-god. Apart from the mintages already mentioned3, he
placed on his bronze medallions sometimes the familiar bust of
Ianus (fig. 272)4, sometimes a Janiform novelty consisting of his own
face combined with that of Iupiter(?) his alter ego (figs. 273, 274)5.

1 Supra p. 331.

2 Brit. Mus. Cat. Rom. Coins Rep. ii. 139 f. pi. 75, 14 ( = my fig. 271), G. F. Hill
Historical Roman Coins London 1909 p. ~,o f. pi. 10, 28. The correct attribution and
dating of these coins is due to P. Gardner in the AJitm. Chron. Third Series 1884 iv.
220—224.

3 Supra p. 366.

4 Gnecchi Medagl. Rom. ii. 62 no. 92 and no. 93 pi. 84, 4 ( = my fig. 272), Cohen
Monn. e??ip. rom.2 iii. 298 no. 516 fig. The specimen reproduced above is from F. Gnecchi's
collection. The medallion was struck in 187 A.D., and shows the god with apaludamentum
over his shoulder.

5 Gnecchi Medagl. Rom. ii. 66 no. 131 pi. 87, 1, Brit. Mus. Cat. Medallions p. 25
no. 20 pi. 32, 1, Frohner MM. emp. rom. p. 131 fig. ( = my fig. 273), Kubitschek Rom.
Medallions Wien p. 7 no. 62 pi. 5 ( = my fig. 274), Cohen Monn. emp. rom.2 iii. 322
no. 717 fig. These medallions were struck in 187 A.D.