Bonus Eventus was a Roman personification within Roman mythology and religion. His name translates as ‘good outcome’. He was originally associated with agriculture and the success of a good harvest, as he sometimes appears with a cornucopia, but as time progressed he also became linked to the general concept of good fortune and success. He was a common depiction on the reverse of coins during the 1st century, especially during the Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69, and this ultimately spread to intaglio decoration. Just as he is depicted here, the coins would also feature the same bent-knee pose and agricultural attributes. In regards to the latter, poppy heads may have also featured alongside stalks of grain. Poppies were regarded as a symbol of peace and fertility, especially from the 1st century. They were also often paired with cornucopia as a symbol of abundance. With such attributes and associated concepts, it is easy to see why Bonus Eventus was a popular choice for both coins and intaglios. The spread of good fortune was an aspiration for the Emperor and for secular individuals.
To discover more about Intaglios, please visit our relevant blog post: Intaglios: Miniature Masterpieces.
