SEVERUS ALEXANDER.(222 - 235).Rome.Sestertius

Obv : IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG.
Head rigth.

Rev : SPES PVBLICA SC.
Spes advancing left holding up her skirt with her left hand and a flower in her right.
RCV II 8019.

Condition : Good condition with minor wear and smooth surfaces.Good very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 17.78 gr
Diameter : 28 mm

In Roman mythology, Spes was the personification of hope, embodying one of the most important and positive virtues in Roman culture. As a goddess, Spes symbolized the anticipation of a better future, the belief in improvement, and the expectation of positive outcomes, which were central to both personal life and the broader Roman worldview. In a society that valued concepts like courage, endurance, and optimism, Spes represented the power of hope to sustain individuals through difficult times.

Spes was often depicted as a youthful and serene figure, usually shown holding a flower or the bud of a plant, symbolizing the promise of growth and renewal. This image reinforced her association with the future and the potential for new beginnings. Her representations were typically gentle and peaceful, aligning with the Roman idea that hope is a quiet yet powerful force that supports resilience and perseverance.

The worship of Spes was part of a larger Roman tradition of personifying abstract concepts like Fortuna (fortune), Virtus (virtue), and Concordia (harmony). These personifications were deeply embedded in Roman religious and social life, offering divine representations of qualities that were integral to the functioning and well-being of Roman society. Hope, as embodied by Spes, was especially important in times of uncertainty, such as during war, political instability, or personal hardship.

The earliest evidence of Spes’s worship in Rome dates back to the Republican period. One of the most significant sanctuaries dedicated to her was the Temple of Spes, built in the Forum Holitorium in the 3rd century BCE. This temple was constructed following a vow made during the Second Punic War, demonstrating the importance of hope in times of crisis. The Romans, facing the existential threat posed by Hannibal and the Carthaginians, turned to Spes as a source of comfort and inspiration, seeking her favor to maintain hope for victory and survival. The presence of this temple in a central public space in Rome underscored the significance of hope as a public virtue, one that was not only for individuals but for the entire state.

Spes was often invoked in prayers and rituals by those seeking guidance and strength in moments of difficulty. Soldiers heading into battle, political leaders making crucial decisions, and citizens enduring hardship would call upon Spes to help them maintain hope. Romans believed that without hope, people would lose their will to endure, and Spes was seen as the divine force that could uplift the human spirit even in the darkest of times.

In Roman funerary practices, Spes also held a special place. Hope was a central theme in Roman views on death and the afterlife. The idea that life would continue in some form after death, and that the deceased might enjoy peace and happiness in the afterlife, was closely linked to the concept of Spes. Tombs and funerary inscriptions often invoked Spes as a symbol of the hope that the dead would find rest and that their families would be reunited with them in the future. In this way, Spes offered comfort to both the living and the dead, promising that hope extended beyond this life.

Spes’s importance in Roman life and religion also extended into the political realm. Hope was an essential part of the Roman Empire’s propaganda, with emperors and leaders often portraying themselves as bringers of hope and prosperity. The imperial cult sometimes emphasized the role of emperors in providing hope for peace, stability, and a bright future for the Roman state. Spes was invoked to reinforce the idea that Roman leaders were capable of guiding the empire through difficult times and ensuring a prosperous future.

As the Roman Empire expanded, the cult of Spes spread throughout the provinces. Although she was primarily a Roman goddess, the universal nature of hope made Spes a relatable and accessible figure for people across the empire. Her presence on Roman coinage, where she was often depicted alongside emperors or symbols of prosperity, reinforced her role as a divine protector of hope for the Roman people. These coins often carried inscriptions like “Spes Publica” or “Spes Augusta,” signifying that hope was not just a private virtue but a public and imperial one, integral to the strength and continuity of the Roman state.

Over time, as Christianity began to spread across the Roman Empire, the figure of Spes began to lose some of her prominence. Christian theology also emphasized the importance of hope, particularly in the context of salvation and the afterlife, but this hope was directed toward the Christian God rather than the Roman goddess. Nevertheless, the concept of hope as a sustaining force remained deeply embedded in Roman thought, even as the religious landscape changed.

Spes was a central figure in Roman mythology, representing the essential human virtue of hope. Whether in times of war, personal hardship, or political uncertainty, Spes embodied the belief in a better future and the strength to endure adversity. Her presence in Roman temples, funerary monuments, and coinage reflects the importance of hope as both a personal and public force, one that was integral to Roman identity and resilience. While her prominence waned with the rise of Christianity, Spes remains a powerful symbol of hope’s enduring influence in Roman culture and religion.