Archaeological Museum of Bologna

This contorniate has the portrait of Alexandrus Magnus with the leontè on the obverse, and the inscription ALEXANDER. On the other side a depiction of Circus Maximus in Rome.

More info

Competitions in the circus were set up in the arena, divided in two parts by a base (spina) on which was an obelisk. Beside the spina there were the mete, columns with statues on the top; horses should pass around them during the competition. Quadrigae are depicted both on the upper and the lower part of the coin. Circus Maximus, built in the 4th century BC, was restored during the imperial age and can contain quite 200.000 people.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: 4th century AD
Material: bronze
Dimensions: diam mm 38; gr 22,80
Inventory #: 15354