Lucius Verus 161-169 AD Carrhae mint, Eclipse of 164 AD

The battle of Ctesiphon in modern day Iraq occured in 164 AD. It was the capital of a revitalized Parthian Empire and was sacked by the Romans under the co emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. The eclipse of 164 AD is likely represented on this coin. Note the mint is in Carrhae where in 53 BC the Romans had a disastrous defeat to the Parthians. Ten years prior, the eclipse of 63 BC signified the Roman victory at Jerusalem. The defeat at Carrhae in 53 BC was by the hands of Parthian horse archers. They encircled seven Roman legions creating a dust cloud. The Romans were slaughtered in the dark from afar. The victory at Ctesiphon with the eclipse may be a memorial to the battle of Carrhae. Lindgren1556. Photo from Romae Aeternae Numismatics