Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/198

180 pompous and elaborate inscription, and the many costly and gorgeous works of art that were erected to commemorate the conqueror's achievements, may be read the meaning, though sententious legend, which, assisted by appropriate designs, tells its story plainly and effectively. In the progress of Roman provincial history, coins and medals occasionally bear allusion to friendly relationship between the subjected countries and imperial Rome, in the establishment of colonies, the raising of temples, and other public buildings, the formation or improvement of highways, as well as in the visits of the emperor himself as the redressor of grievances and the restorer of peace. The historical importance of these coins is usually accompanied by welldesigned and executed representations, in which the painter, the sculptor, and the poet, may each find something to admire and instruct, and from which the superintendents of modern mints, and governments themselves, might derive useful hints for the improvement of national coinages, by making them the medium of recording national events, and of conveying some sort of popular instruction. The coins of the Romans relating to Gaul and to Britain, are among the most interesting of the series, as they include many not struck by the imperial powers of Rome, but issued at times when rulers in these provinces assumed the purple, and, more or less effectually, maintained an independence which, obtained by means of military power more frequently than by the general will of the people, lasted only until the fortune of war led to the re-establishment of the foreign yoke, or that of some more successful usurper. From the immense quantities of coins struck, it would appear that in many instances these revolutions were much more extensive and general than the notices given by historians would of themselves lead us to imagine. These are often so brief, and so palpably partial, that it is impossible, without having recourse to the aid of inscriptions and coins, to form even an imperfect notion of the true state of the provinces at these important epochs in their history. The six years' sway of Postumus in Gaul is but incidentally alluded to by historians, but the vast quantities of his coins still extant, many of them executed by the best artists of the time, evince the success of his arms and the undisturbed tranquillity of the province under his rule.

Mr. Akerman's work is, as its title shews, confined to Roman coins relating to Britain. Of these the first are of Claudius, whose gold and silver coins exhibit the front of a triumphal arch, surmounted by an equestrian figure between two trophies, with, or, more rarely, the emperor in a quadriga, and the same inscription. In the reign of Hadrian, the Britons revolted, but the opportune arrival of the emperor himself seems to have smothered the insurrection, and left him but little to achieve after repelling the Caledonians, who had broken through the northern frontiers of the province. The visit of Hadrian is commemorated by a large brass coin, inscribed on the reverse, The emperor is represented clothed in the toga, and holding a patera over an altar, with the fire kindled, on the other side of which stands a female figure with a victim lying at her feet. In the second middle brass coins of Hadrian, the province