Bacchius iudaeus: A tamed Hyrcanian tiger

The kneeling figure with camel on the reverse of the denarius of A. Plautius has generally been identified as Aristobulus II. It is argued here that he is identifiable as his brother Hyrcanus II instead. In addition to the argument of Hollstein in support of this identification, it is noted that the legend BACCHI VS facilitates a pun upon the name of Hyrcanus, literally meaning 'Hyrcanian'. As a 'Bacchic Hyrcanian', Hyrcanus is implicitly compared to the tamed Hyrcanian tigers used by Bacchus to draw his triumphal chariot, a fitting comparison because of his submission to Roman authority.