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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 1792051, member: 19463&quot;]I recall someone (here?) asking why a mouse was placed on this coin attributed to Ti. Quinctius, 112-111 BC?&nbsp; I believe I may have an answer (right or wrong) that might be of interest to some.[ATTACH=full]289408[/ATTACH]</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_cuisine" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_cuisine" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_cuisine</a></p><p>M. Aemelius Scaurus, consul in 115 BC, is said to have passed a law forbidding the consumption of doormice.&nbsp; This sort of thing would really not have been the venue of a consul but perhaps for a censor which is the office Scaurus was elected in 109 BC.&nbsp; In any event, the question as to the appropriateness of people eating mice that had been specially fattened for the purpose seems to have been current about the date of this coin.&nbsp; I do not own Crawford.&nbsp; Has anyone suggested a link between the rodent shown on this coin and the eating of doormice?&nbsp;&nbsp; Those who know me would not say that this is the wildest suggestion I&#039;ve ever made.&nbsp; Comments including other proposals&nbsp; for better reasons why this coin has a fat and tasty looking rodent under the horses will be appreciated.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For those not completely repulsed by this thread, I understand that doormice were considered a delicacy of the rich and pride was taken that the mice you served your guests were fatter than those of your competition.&nbsp; A law outlawing such a practice would be appropriate for a politician who considered outward shows of wealth contrary to the old Roman morals.&nbsp; I doubt it had anything to do with public health but evidence showing that connection would also be interesting.&nbsp; Some of us collect coins only of the highest grade or of the finest style but now I challenge you to show your mice that are fatter than mine.&nbsp; If you find this ridiculous, I suggest you have not studied the parts of Roman history and culture that don&#039;t get covered in high school Latin.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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