Image Details
British Museum
Rooftop altars appear on numerous ancient coins. On this second century A.D. bronze coin, prominent altars adorn the roof of the central temple and the adjacent temple towers. From the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161–180 A.D.), this coin portrays the sanctuary of Zeus in Capitolias, Syria. The statue of Zeus that appears on the coin was a copy of the famous Zeus statue at Elis, where the Olympics were held.