Crispina, 178-182. Wife of Commodus.
18-17 mm. 2.91 grams. 12:00.

CRISPINA AVGVSTA, her draped bust right.
DIS GENITALIBVS around square flaming altar

The dii genitales are the gods of childbirth.

"It would seem that the empress has dedicated an altar to the dii genitales, either for having had children, or that she might obtain fertility from them, or that she might commend the child, with which she was pregnant, to their care and protection. 'Genitalis' is that which possesses, or imparts, the faculty of generatiing."  [Stevenson, page 332.]

Sear II 5999. RIC 281. BMC Commodus 39.


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