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Document Details : Title: Nulli tam laeti triumphi Subtitle: Constantine's Victory on a Reworked Cameo in Leiden Author(s): HALBERTSMA, Ruurd B. Journal: BABESCH Volume: 90 Date: 2015 Pages: 221-235 DOI: 10.2143/BAB.90.0.3089922 Abstract : The iconography and date of the large imperial cameo, which was added recently to the collection of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, have intrigued scholars in the course of the last two centuries. The interpretation of the scene varied from the victory of emperor Claudius over the Britons in AD 43 to the festivities of emperor Constantine on the occasion of the Vicennalia in AD 325-326. In this article an overview of the most important theories will be given. Where possible, the scene on the cameo will be linked with the known facts about Constantine’s career. It will be argued that the cameo was a senatorial gift to Constantine during the festivities of AD 315-316, the Decennalia, and depicts his victory over Maxentius in AD 312. Chronological incongruities and objections by earlier scholars are explained by a closer look at the hairstyles and headgears, which suggest a reworking of the cameo in AD 324. |
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