The Lupercal on a coin of Marcus Aurelius

 

Marcus Aurelius, As, RIC 1247

At the recent Harrogate coin fair I found this “middle bronze” in a pick box. This as, dating to the last three months of Marcus Aurelius’ life, has on the reverse the wolf and twins set within a shrine.

Located at south-western corner of the Palatine was a cave that was traditionally the lair of the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. It was made into a shrine containing a statue of the wolf and twins, the Lupercal, and that is the monument depicted on this coin.

The decorated grotto under the Domus Livia

It has been claimed that a grotto, decorated with mosaics and shells, excavated under the Domus Livia, the house of Augustus, is the actual location of the Lupercal. This identification is disputed and an alternative interpretation of the find is either a triclinium or nymphaeum dating from Neronian times.

The supposed site of the cremation of Septimius Severus

The demise of Septimius Severus in York in February 211 was before the anticipated return to Rome with Caracalla and Geta, his two sons. This return was foretold on the bronze coinage of all three of them, if the FORT(una) RED(ux) reverse is interpreted correctly.

Geta, 209-212, AE As, FORT RED TRP III COS II SC

Rather than transport a corpse back to the eternal city the likelihood is that he was cremated locally.

There is, in Acomb/Holgate, a spot known as Severus Hill. It is in the V between Poppleton Road and York Road and can be spotted by the water tower on top. 

There was 19th century speculation that was the spot of the funeral pyre of the dead emperor, logical given the prominent location of the hill overlooking the fort and vicus. Some even thought that it was artificially created for the occasion, but geological investigation shows it to be a natural feature. 

From the hill York Minster can be seen. In Roman times it was the location of the fort headquarters. It is evident that the prominent location of Severus Hill would have been an appropriate location for the pyre to be seen by the troops and the civilian residents of Eboracum. 

Close by, this is commemorated in street names; Severus Avenue and Severus Street, off York Road. The tile shop located at the end of Severus Street has a wonderful modern bust of the deceased emperor.