6/17/2023 0 Comments Who was denarius![]() Brutus, in a somewhat hypocritical move, issued a rare few coins depicting his own portrait, and two daggers, with the inscription ‘EID MAR’ referring to the Ides of March. Caesar was assassinated, and the conspirators ousted from the city. On the 15 th March, 44 BC, knives were drawn in the Senate house. Silver Denarius, Moving Mint, 43-42 BC.ĭepicting himself on Rome’s coinage would certainly have infuriated the Senate – it may have been the last straw. The coins of Caesar’s Assassins were generally more conservative, pushing Roman Republican values. Thanks to Caesar’s historical fame, coins bearing his portrait are very valuable today. Some bear the inscription ‘CAESAR DICT PERPETVO’ or ‘Caesar, Dictator for Life’. Suetonius, writing in the 2 nd Century AD, describes Caesar’s appearance as ‘lean, with a long and wrinkled neck, prominent nose and thinning hair’, all of which are visible on his coins. All of the dictator’s features were depicted as Caesar wanted, there was no flattery. Silver denarii were issued in 44 BC onwards, bearing Caesar’s portrait in impressive detail. Clearly portrayed are his distinctive facial features. He was the first living person ever depicted on a Roman coin.Ĭaesar’s denarii would have caused a stir. During the 1 st century BC, the faces of ancestors begin to appear, but never a living person. The heads of gods appear commonly on these coins as well as animals and buildings. Silver Denarius, Rome, 137 BC.ĭuring the Roman Republic, coins were issued by moneyers and featured motifs relevant to Roman history or mythology. The Senate hated this, but had to oblige – Caesar had the military might to do essentially what he wanted.Ī traditional Roman Republican silver denarius featuring the head of Roma. His ambition, combined with the strength and loyalty of his armies, resulted in him Crossing the Rubicon, and eventually being elevated to ‘Dictator for Life’ – a newly created position reserved only for him. Silver Denarius, 49 BC, Moving Mint.Ĭaesar is without a doubt one of the most famous figures in history. A select group of high-ranking citizens controlled the armies and almost all elements of Roman society.Ĭaesar’s military denarius depicts a snake (the senate) being crushed by Caesar’s power. Greece was occupied, and Celtic Gaul was being subdued thanks to a popular general by the name of Gaius Julius Caesar. Since XXX BC Rome had been ruled as a Republic, and as a Republic, had risen to become the dominant power in Western Europe.
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