Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
A Brutus a day, keeps the tyrant away
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Limes, post: 4700994, member: 101013"]Thanks for the replies. Just two, but there must be more coins of Brutus of the members of this board, right?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>That coin is a beauty, and high on my wantlist! (Although I don't think such an amazing quality is within my reach.)</p><p>It's interesting to note that Brutus struck coins on two occassions, so to say. First, as moneyer, in 54 BC. Both types he struck bearing the family name Brutus, allude to his famous and patriotic, freedom-loving family. The first type, shown below, shows the first consult, L Junius Brutus, who expelled the last King of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, in 509 BC. Your coin is the other type, which shows the portrait of the famous first consul (accurate, or not...).</p><p>The second occassion is when he was in the East and struck coins for his soldiers, preparing for the inevitable battle with Marcus Antonius. It is these coins, that also show his portrait. Some conclude that this act, one which he duisgusted when Caesar struck coins bearing his portrait, shows that Brutus too aspired dictatorship for life in the fashion of Caesar. I've read another interesting theory though, which makes more sense: in order to let the populace and his soldiers not forget the republican cause of liberty and freedom from tyranny, Brutus, the leader of the tyrannicides, struck these coins as countermeasure to the large amount of coins that the Caesarians struck bearing their portraits.</p><p>Whatever the case may be, interestingly, at the time of Caesar in Rome when it became clear Caesar showed King-like behaviour, opponents of Caesar appealed to the ancestry of Brutus. Writings were places on the statue of L Junius Brutus and on the walls of the court of M Brutus saying "<i>Brutus, are you bribed?" "Brutus, are you dead?" "Thou should'st be living at this hour!" "Your posterity is unworthy of you," or "You are not his descendant,</i>" (Appian, book II, 112). Appian questions the decisive motive of Brutus, but states that these references to his famous past must have ignited the fire to kill the dictator Caesar.</p><p>One can feel sympathy for Brutus of course. It was clear at that time that Caesar could not be removed without force from his position and the chances of him renouncing his position were zero, as he was preparing his army to invade Parthia. However, I do believe another force was at stake, namely the struggle between the 'old elite' and the populist Caesarians. Of course the old elite were keen on keeping their old, powerfull positions. In that case, perhaps the murder of Caesar is little different from the murder of the Gracci Brothers, about 80 years earlier. Except that this time, the Optimates were not the victorious party, also because they clearly underestimated the power of the military loyal to Caesar (and Mark Antony). Yes, there's nothing romantic about a gold old fashion assassination and political violence.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1154716[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>History leaves some traces of where and under what circumstances a coin was struck. I find this very appealing, because it makes history come more alive. In this case, my coin can be traced to a location, roughly, and period, and circumstances. The are of course rare medallions or decadrachms that can be pinpointed to a ceremony that once took place. I know of another amazing example of a coin that can be accurately traced back: the golden coin in the Colosseo collection, made from a golden statue of Nike, on the Acropolis in Athens.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Limes, post: 4700994, member: 101013"]Thanks for the replies. Just two, but there must be more coins of Brutus of the members of this board, right? That coin is a beauty, and high on my wantlist! (Although I don't think such an amazing quality is within my reach.) It's interesting to note that Brutus struck coins on two occassions, so to say. First, as moneyer, in 54 BC. Both types he struck bearing the family name Brutus, allude to his famous and patriotic, freedom-loving family. The first type, shown below, shows the first consult, L Junius Brutus, who expelled the last King of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, in 509 BC. Your coin is the other type, which shows the portrait of the famous first consul (accurate, or not...). The second occassion is when he was in the East and struck coins for his soldiers, preparing for the inevitable battle with Marcus Antonius. It is these coins, that also show his portrait. Some conclude that this act, one which he duisgusted when Caesar struck coins bearing his portrait, shows that Brutus too aspired dictatorship for life in the fashion of Caesar. I've read another interesting theory though, which makes more sense: in order to let the populace and his soldiers not forget the republican cause of liberty and freedom from tyranny, Brutus, the leader of the tyrannicides, struck these coins as countermeasure to the large amount of coins that the Caesarians struck bearing their portraits. Whatever the case may be, interestingly, at the time of Caesar in Rome when it became clear Caesar showed King-like behaviour, opponents of Caesar appealed to the ancestry of Brutus. Writings were places on the statue of L Junius Brutus and on the walls of the court of M Brutus saying "[I]Brutus, are you bribed?" "Brutus, are you dead?" "Thou should'st be living at this hour!" "Your posterity is unworthy of you," or "You are not his descendant,[/I]" (Appian, book II, 112). Appian questions the decisive motive of Brutus, but states that these references to his famous past must have ignited the fire to kill the dictator Caesar. One can feel sympathy for Brutus of course. It was clear at that time that Caesar could not be removed without force from his position and the chances of him renouncing his position were zero, as he was preparing his army to invade Parthia. However, I do believe another force was at stake, namely the struggle between the 'old elite' and the populist Caesarians. Of course the old elite were keen on keeping their old, powerfull positions. In that case, perhaps the murder of Caesar is little different from the murder of the Gracci Brothers, about 80 years earlier. Except that this time, the Optimates were not the victorious party, also because they clearly underestimated the power of the military loyal to Caesar (and Mark Antony). Yes, there's nothing romantic about a gold old fashion assassination and political violence. [ATTACH=full]1154716[/ATTACH] History leaves some traces of where and under what circumstances a coin was struck. I find this very appealing, because it makes history come more alive. In this case, my coin can be traced to a location, roughly, and period, and circumstances. The are of course rare medallions or decadrachms that can be pinpointed to a ceremony that once took place. I know of another amazing example of a coin that can be accurately traced back: the golden coin in the Colosseo collection, made from a golden statue of Nike, on the Acropolis in Athens.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
A Brutus a day, keeps the tyrant away
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...