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Volusian
–
Roman Emperor
: 251-253 A.D. –
Silver Antoninianus 22mm (4.57 grams) Rome mint 251 -253 A.D.
Reference: RIC 166 (Trebonianus Gallus), C 8
IMPCAECVIBVOLVSIANOAVG – Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
AEQVITASAVGG – Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.
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The cornucopia (from Latin cornu copiae) or
horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large
horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or
wealth in some form. Originating in
classical antiquity
, it has continued as a
symbol in
Western art
, and it is particularly associated
with the
Thanksgiving
holiday in
North America
.
Allegorical
depiction of the Roman
goddess
Abundantia
with a cornucopia, by
Rubens
(ca. 1630)
In Mythology
Mythology
offers multiple
explanations of the origin
of the cornucopia.
One of the best-known involves the birth and nurturance of the infant
Zeus, who had to be hidden from his devouring father
Cronus
. In a cave on
Mount Ida
on the island of
Crete
, baby Zeus was cared for and protected by
a number of divine attendants, including the goat
Amalthea
(“Nourishing Goddess”), who fed him
with her milk. The suckling future king of the gods had unusual abilities and
strength, and in playing with his nursemaid accidentally broke off one of her
horns
, which then had the divine power to
provide unending nourishment, as the foster mother had to the god.
In another myth, the cornucopia was created when
Heracles
(Roman
Hercules
) wrestled with the river god
Achelous
and wrenched off one of his horns;
river gods were sometimes depicted as horned. This version is represented in the
Achelous and Hercules
mural painting
by the
American Regionalist
artist
Thomas Hart Benton
.
The cornucopia became the attribute of several
Greek
and
Roman deities
, particularly those associated
with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance, such as personifications
of Earth (Gaia
or
Terra
); the child
Plutus
, god of riches and son of the grain
goddess Demeter
; the
nymph
Maia
; and
Fortuna
, the goddess of luck, who had the power
to grant prosperity. In
Roman Imperial cult
, abstract Roman deities who
fostered peace (pax
Romana) and prosperity were also depicted with a cornucopia,
including Abundantia
, “Abundance” personified, and
Annona
, goddess of the
grain supply to the city of Rome
.
Pluto
, the classical ruler of the underworld in
the
mystery religions
, was a giver of agricultural,
mineral and spiritual wealth, and in art often holds a cornucopia to distinguish
him from the gloomier Hades
, who holds a
drinking horn
instead.
Modern depictions
In modern depictions, the cornucopia is typically a hollow, horn-shaped
wicker basket filled with various kinds of festive
fruit
and
vegetables
. In North America, the cornucopia
has come to be associated with
Thanksgiving
and the harvest. Cornucopia is
also the name of the annual November Wine and Food celebration in
Whistler
, British Columbia, Canada. Two
cornucopias are seen in the
flag
and
state seal
of
Idaho
. The Great
Seal
of
North Carolina
depicts Liberty standing and
Plenty holding a cornucopia. The coat of arms of
Colombia
,
Panama
,
Peru and
Venezuela
, and the Coat of Arms of the State of
Victoria, Australia
, also feature the
cornucopia, symbolising prosperity.
The horn of plenty is used on body art and at Halloween, as it is a symbol of
fertility, fortune and abundance.
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Base of a statue of
Louis XV of France
Aequitas is the nominative
form of the Latin æquitatem, meaning justice, equality, conformity,
symmetry, or fairness, and is the source of the modern word “equity”. In
Roman mythology
, Aequitas, also known as
Aecetia, was the minor goddess of
fair trade
and
honest
merchants
. Like
Abundantia
, she is depicted with a
cornucopia
, representing wealth from commerce.
She is also shown holding a
balance
, representing equity and fairness.
During the
Roman Empire
, Aequitas was sometimes worshipped
as a quality or aspect of the
emperor
, under the name Aequitas
Augusti
.
Gaius Vibius Volusianus (d. August, 253) was a
Roman emperor
(251 – 253).
He was son to
Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus
by his wife
Afinia Gemina Baebiana
. He is known to have had a sister, Vibia Galla.
The death of Decius
in early June, 251 led to Trebonianus Gallus’ elevation to the
throne. Gallus adopted Decius’ son
Hostilian
and made him co-ruler. Volusianus was named
Caesar
and Princeps Juventutis. Later in 251 Hostilian died of the
plague
and Volusianus replaced him as
Augustus
and co-ruler.
Father and son were both killed in 253 by mutinous troops in
Interamna
.
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