Syria, Antioch under Roman rule, Æ19, time of Marcus Crassus, dated Year 13 of the Pompeian Era (54/53 BC), RPC 4218, Vagi 18 (7.8 g, 19 mm) Marcus Licinius Crassus, often called the richest man in Rome, was a member of the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. In 71 BC, he defeated the slave revolt led by Spartacus (the Third Servile War), crucifying some 6000 survivors along the Appian Way (though Pompey managed to steal the credit). Crassus was the governor of Syria until 53 BC, before being killed by the Parthians during the truce negotiations following his army's defeat in the Battle of Carrhae. According to Plutarch, Crassus’s head was brought to the Parthian emperor Orodes II and used as a prop in a theatrical production staged for the king’s amusement. According to another account, the Parthians had molten gold poured inside his mouth, to symbolize his greed for wealth. Cassius Longinus (later the famous assassin of Caesar), who had abandoned the campaign early on, escaped to Syria, which he was able to defend against the Parthian counterattack. Obverse: Diademed head of Zeus right Reverse: (A)NTIOXEΩ(WN) THΣ (MHT)POΠOΛE(ΩΣ). Zeus seated left, date IΓ in ex.
Nice coin, @Amit Vyas ! Here is the guy who put that “Crass-as” Crassus down... PARTHIA Orodes II 57-37BC AR Drachm 18mm 3.3g - Crassus gold - Ekbatana mint stars crescent Arsakes on throne bow anchor Sellwd48.9
And here is the Cassius Longinus who stopped Orodes II from overrunning Syria afterward... Roman Republic GAIUS CASSIUS LONGINUS & PUBLIUS CORNELIUS LENTULUS SPINTHER AR silver denarius. Struck circa 42 BC, at a mobile military mint moving with Brutus & Cassius, probably located in Smyrna. C CASSI IMP LEIBERTAS, veiled & draped bust of Libertas right. Reverse - LENTVLVS SPINT, jug & lituus. 18mm, 3.3g. Ex: Incitis
A great coin to get to represent Crassus. The tets with his monogram are prohibitively expensive for many of us!
A very nice coin. I'm surprised that there's an RPC number for it, though, given that by its own definitions RPC begins with the death of Caesar. Traditionally, "Roman Provincial" coins a/k/a "Greek Imperial" coins begin even later, at the beginning of Augustus's reign. However, I believe, and I think @Alegandron agrees, that there's no reason to exclude coins minted in provinces ruled by the Republic from the "Roman Provincial" category, so I usually call them "Republican Provincial" coins. So I'm certainly not complaining that RPC included the coin! It should include all "Republican Provincial" coins. FYI, I checked RPC I 4218, and it's not this coin; that coin is described as "Caesarian era, year 2, Dating 47 BC." I think the correct number is RPC 4212; see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/4212.
@DonnaML is correct that it is RPC I 4212. A more specific citation for the OP example is McAlee 37. Below is a link to my RPC 4212 which is McAlee 38c. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/352821 There is only one minute difference between the OP example of the type and mine.
Agreed. In my thoughts, Rome became an Empire during the First Punic War with the Carthage Empire. The Roman Republic took Sicily, and it became their overseas First Province after incorporating Italy. The Roman Empire was over 200 Years old by the time of Augustus. In fact, Republican Rome had already accreted more territory / provinces into their Empire than what was conquered AFTER Augustus.
There is always the chance, however slim, to encounter one unattributed. I have got 3 unattributed AEs so far.