Eagle

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The eagle was a powerful and highly significant symbol in both ancient Greek and Roman cultures, representing divine authority, power, and the connection between the human and divine realms. Its majestic flight, keen vision, and association with the skies made it an ideal emblem for deities, rulers, and military forces alike, and it played a crucial role in the symbolism and iconography of both civilizations.

In ancient Greece, the eagle was primarily associated with Zeus, the king of the gods. As a symbol of Zeus’s power and sovereignty, the eagle was often depicted as his sacred bird, serving as both his companion and messenger. In many myths, Zeus would transform into an eagle or send an eagle to carry out tasks on his behalf. The eagle’s powerful presence symbolized Zeus’s dominion over the heavens and his authority over both gods and humans. The bird’s ability to soar to great heights and its sharp vision made it a fitting representation of Zeus’s all-seeing nature and his supreme control over the cosmos. The eagle also had associations with victory and strength, qualities that were central to Zeus’s role as a god of justice and ruler of the gods.

In the context of Roman culture, the eagle became an even more prominent symbol, particularly in the military. The Roman eagle (aquila) was adopted as the standard for the Roman legions, symbolizing the power and unity of the Roman Empire. The aquila was a sacred symbol, carried into battle by Roman soldiers, and its loss or capture was seen as a great dishonor. The eagle was also connected to Jupiter, the Roman counterpart to Zeus, and was used to represent the god’s divine authority and rule over the empire. Roman emperors, like their Greek counterparts, were often depicted with eagles as symbols of their divine favor and imperial power. The eagle’s association with Jupiter elevated it as a symbol of Roman strength, divine protection, and military prowess.

The eagle’s symbolism of imperial power was especially evident in the iconography of Roman coins, where the eagle frequently appeared as a prominent motif. It was often shown perched on a globe, representing the emperor’s dominion over the world, or in flight, emphasizing the reach and superiority of the Roman Empire. In this context, the eagle not only symbolized military might but also the divine sanction of the emperor’s rule. As the eagle was associated with the gods, its image on coins and standards served to remind the Roman people of their connection to the divine and the emperor’s role as the earthly representative of that divine power.

Abydos, Troas 4th-3rd cent BCE Adramytteion, Mysia 350 BCE Aeolis, Kyme 350-250 BCE Alexander I Molossos 334-331 BCE Alexander I Molossos 334-332 BCE Alexander III 336-323 BCE Alexander IV/Antipater 323-317 BCE Alexander the Great 330-323 BCE Alexandria Eschate 285-280 BCE Amyntas III 393-369 BCE Andragoras 246-238 BCE Androkles of Amathos 325-323 BCE Antigenes 322-320 BCE Antigonos Monophthalmos 305-300 BCE Aphytis, Macedon 430-390 BCE Archon or Dokimos 323-317 BCE Ariarathes I 325 BCE Aspesias 316-311 BCE Berenikie II 244-221 BCE Blaundos, Lydia 200-100 BCE Carus 282-283 CE Chalkis, Euboia 290-271 BCE Charaspes 190-188 BCE Deiotaros 62-40 BCE Dia, Bithynia 85-65 BCE Diodotos I of Baktria 255-235 BCE Elis, Olympia 111th Olympiad 336 BCE Euhippe, Caria 300 BCE Gortyna, Crete 250-221 BCE Halikarnassos 4th-3rd Centuries BCE Istros, Moesia 350-250 BCE Itanos, Crete 320-280 BCE Kalas/Demarchos 325-323 BCE Kentoripai, Sicily 344-336 BCE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinos 324/323 BCE Kotys IV 171-167 BCE Licinius II 321-324 CE Lyttos, Crete 3rd century BCE Mazaios 361-334 BCE Memphis, Egypt 323/2 BCE Menelaus 315-306 BCE Nikokles of Paphos 325-317 BCE Nikomedes II 110/9 BCE Nikomedes III 126/5 BCE Olosson, Thessaly 400-350 BCE Orra, Calabria 250-225 BCE Perdikkas 321/320 BCE Pharnakeia, Pontos 85-65 BCE Philip III Arrhidaeos 331-321 BCE Philotas 400-380 BCE Philoxenos 325-323 BCE Phintias, Akragas, Sicily 287-279 BCE Praisos, Crete 300-270 BCE Ptolemaios 85-40 BCE Ptolemy Epigonos 246-221 BCE Ptolemy I Soter 311-305 BCE Ptolemy II Philadelphos 256/55 BCE Ptolemy IV 222-204 BCE Ptolemy Keraunos 281-279 BCE Ptolemy Keraunos 281-279 BCE Ptolemy V 205-180 BCE Pydna, Macedonia 381-369 BCE Seuthes III 323-316 BCE Stamenes/Archon 324/323 BCE Syennesis 440-400 BCE Tigranes II 80-68 BCE Tios, Bithynia 300 BCE Trajan 115 CE