I bought this coin a few months ago cause I was fascinated about the cruel scene on this republican denarius. The Romans had no problem at all showing a severed head on the reverse of this coin. It's unthinkable that this kind of scenes would be displayed on modern European coins. On this coin you can see the Roman general Marcus Sergius. In battle he lost his right hand. In two campaigns he was wounded twenty-three times . He was twice captured by Hannibal but managed to escape. He fought four times with only his left hand, while two horses he was riding were stabbed beneath him. He was probably the first man ever with a prosthetic hand. What a guy ! This coin makes me think how many different brutal, bloodthirsty, cruel scenes there are on the reverses of ancient coins. Mine is number one M. Sergius Silus, denarius 3,84 g. 18 mm. Obv. EX S C ROMA*, helmeted head of Roma right. Rev. Horseman galloping left with sword & severed head held aloft, Q below horses leg, M SERGI below, SILVS in exergue. Syd 534, Cra.286/1.
That's a wonderful example of a popular type. Here's another popular gory coin: Perseus holding the freshly severed head of Medusa while her body gushes blood on the floor: PONTOS, Amisos 85-65 BCE, time of Mithradates VI Eupator AE, (each is 27-29 mm) Obv: helmeted head of Athena right; helmet decorated with griffin Rev: AMIΣOY; Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa, Medusa's body at his feet, blood gushing from the neck; monogram in left field
A FEL TEMP fallen horseman which @randygeki would approve of. I don’t know why the picture of the reverse is rotated.
Violence and death were always especially close in the ancient world and Rome took it to new levels with its arenas and spectacles. Here are a few RR denarii extolling violence of both military bravery (Licinius Nerva ) and the arena ( Regulus and Didius). They are followed by an oil lamp depicting a condemned prisoner about to be gored to death by a bull in the arena, and a terra sigillata c. 2nd- early 3rd century depicting a man , presumably in the arena, being maulled by a large cat.
One of my favorite movie lines comes from Yul Brynner in the 10 Commandments "Did you lose your head my sweet?" The War against Jerusalem in 70 CE was brutal...
WOLF's HEAD: RR Egnatius Maxsumus 76 BCE Bust Libertas pileus behind- Roma Venus stndg cupid on shoulder Wolf Head at feet Sear 326 Craw 391-3
Here's a scarce example from India, where the three largest religions are founded upon principles of nonviolence. India, Malwa AR Drachm Paramaras of Malwa, time of Jaitra Simha (c.1275) Obv: Gadhaiya bust Rev: Soldier on horseback, trampling footsoldier on ground, charging one in front with sword
Geta. 209-212 A.D. Philippopolis, Thrace; Æ 28. Obv: His laur., dr., and cuir. bust right. Rev: Emperor stg. facing, hd. l., sacrificing over tripod altar, and holding scepter, to right of a statue of Apollo Kendrizos on a column; victimarius holding axe to l., bringing bull to r. for sacrifice. Varbanov III, 1626. Rare (R7).
Great Sergius Silus Marsman! Fun thread. I guess I better start with my Sergius And how about one O dem medusas...in 3D!?!? Poor lion... The Mag-man tramples ya before spearing ya!
STRANGLING Roman Repubic C POBLICIUS Q f 80 BCE AR Denarius serratus 3.94g Rome mint Obv: Helmeted and Draped Bust; Feathers in Hlmet (always reminded me of the Samnium feather dressing) Rev: Stannard Scoop on reverse - Flan al Marco weight control gouge Hercules strangling the Nemean lion club quiver Craw 380-1 Syd 768
Thank you Lots and lots of bloody scenes in this thread with even a few coins I had never seen before! Thanks. I put the 'Licinius Nerva coin' on my coin bucket list. So far, I missed the famous Q. Thermus coin in this thread. Here is mine Q. Thermus, denarius Rome 103 BC 19 mm, 4.00 g Obv. Helmeted head of Mars left Rev. Roman soldier fighting barbarian soldier in protection of fallen comrade; in ex, Q•THERM•MF Crawford 319/1
RR AR Denarius A Licinius Nerva 47 BCE 3.58g Rome Fides One-armed horseman galloping, dragging naked warrior by hair Cr 454-1 Syd 954
Unfathomably brutal: they cut this pegasus in half! (Kidding, but I evidently have a significant lack of brutal coins)
AV Ducato ND Milan Mint Filippo Maria Visconti Duke of Milan Obv. Duke decked out in full armor/ on his horse/ welding sword/wearing dagger. Rev: Arms of Visconti Family Bought as an "unsold lot"