COINS OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
According to their traditions, the City of Rome was founded in 753 BC by the orphaned brothers Romulus (for who the city was named) and Remus. The abandoned brothers were found by a she-wolf who suckled them. They were found and raised by a childless shepherd and his wife, but became warriors who fought rivals in the area. Eventually the brothers founded Rome on the site where they were saved by the she-wolf, but in a fit of rage Remus was killed by Romulus. Romulus founded a kingdom and after his death was succeeded by six additional kings who ruled until 509 BC when the Kingdom was overthrown and the Republic established.
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ROMAN REPUBLIC SAX MONOGRAM CLOVIA FAMILY BRONZE AS |
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169-157 BC |
31mm 32.4g | SEAR-706 |
This coin was issued during the period between the Second and Third Punic Wars. During the run-up to the Third Punic War Rome became alarmed by the growing prosperity of Carthage. A growing number of Romans came to believe that a third war, one that would finally end the commercial rivalry between Rome and Carthage, was needed. Cato the Elder (a leading Roman senator) ended ever speech no matter the topic, by saying "and finnaly I assert that Carthage must be destroyed."
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ROMAN REPUBLIC C. SERVIUS M.f. GALBA SILVER DENARIUS |
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136 BC |
19mm 3.7g | SEAR-116 |
With the removal of Carthage, Rome was able to dominate trade in the Mediterranean and rise rapidly in prosperity. This increase in wealth lead to wide gaps between the lifestyle of the ruling class and common Romans. The wealthy created laws that were to their benefit, at the expense of Romans of more modest means, leading to economic and social tensions.
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ROMAN REPUBLIC P. MAENIUS M.f. ANTIAS SILVER DENARIUS |
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132 BC |
18mm 3.8g | SEAR-126 |
Tiberius Gracchus was a Military Tribune during the Third Punic War. In 133 BC he was elected to the Tribunicia Potestate and in this position he proposed reforms that would have benefitted veterans and the lower class, but that threated the holdings of large landowners. Gracchus' methods in seeking reform, though not against the law was considered disrespectful to the Senate. In addition he announced that he intended to break with past tradition and seek reelection. In June of 133 BC Gracchus was confronted by a group of Senators armed with clubs who assassinated him after a confrontation.
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ROMAN REPUBLIC C. CLAUDIUS PULCHER SILVER DENARIUS |
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110-109 BC |
15-18mm 3.9g | SEAR-177 |
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ROMAN REPUBLIC L. CALPURNIUS PISO L.f. L.n. FRUGI SILVER DENARIUS |
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90 BC |
18mm 4.0g | SEAR-235 |
In 91 BC a group of Italian allies of Rome
revolted over a dispute about land ownership. The Latins were able to field an
army of 120,000 against Rome. In 90 BC Rome suffered a series of losses, but
managed to survive. Sulla was placed in charge of the Southern armies and
restored the Roman position by 89 BC. The Romans offered concessions to the
Latins including full citizenship and the war came to an end.
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ROMAN REPUBLIC Mn. FONTEIUS C.f. SILVER DENARIUS |
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85 BC |
19mm 3.6g | SEAR-271 |
ROMAN IMPERATORIAL COINAGE
This period consists of the coinage issued during the Civil Wars of 49-27 BC. It begins with the declaration of Julius Caesar as Dictator in 49 BC. This can be considered the terminal event of the Roman Republic. It ends with the establishment of the Roman Empire by Augustus Caesar in 27 BC. During this 22 year period of chaos there were two civil wars, two Triumvirates and countless political assassination, suicides et cetera.
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ROMAN IMPERATORIAL JULIUS CAESAR ITALIAN MINT BRONZE SESTERTIUS |
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38 BC |
31mm 21.1g | SEAR-1569 |
Julius Caesar was a Roman General and politician who gained popularity for his Conquest of Gaul which lasted from 58-50 BC. Ordered disband his army and return to Rome, Ceasar decided to violate the law and crossed the Rubicon with his army in 49 BC, this action lead to a Civil War with Pompey the Great. Caesar was appointed Dictator in 49 BC, thus ending the Roman Republic. He went on to defeat Pompey who was murdered in 48 BC. Caesar enacted several political reforms, but as his power grew so did fears that he intended to make himself king. On 15 March 44 BC a group of Senators including Caesar's friend Marcus Brutus.
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ROMAN IMPERATORIAL MARCUS ANTONIUS ATHENS MINT SILVER DENARIUS |
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32 BC |
19mm 3.9g | SEAR-1477 |
Marcus Antonius was a
supporter of Julius Caesar and after the latters assassination was allied with
Caesar's heir Octavian. During the First Triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus,
Antonius ruled the Eastern Provinces and it was during this time that he became
politically and romantically linked to Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Also during this
era Antonius had a falling out with Octavian and the two became rivals for power
in a Civil War that resulted in Antonius being defeated at the Battle of Actium
in 31 BC. In hiding in Egypt in 30 BC, Antonius committed suicide in 30 BC when
he was informed (incorrectly) that Cleopatra has also killed herself.
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