Another aquaduct Roman Republic

Bing · May 2, 2013

Just obtained this one:

L MARCUS PHILIPPUS ROMAN REPUBLIC Denarius, Gens Marcia
OBV: Diademed head of Ancus Marcius right, lituus behind, ANCVS below
REV: Equestrian statue right on an arcade of five arches; flower below horse, AQVA MAR between arches, PHILLIVS behind
Struck at Rome, 56 BC
3.06g
Cr425/1, Marcia 28

Seller's information:

The Marcia gens claimed descent from Ancus Marcius, the fourth King of Rome, who is said to have been the first to bring water to the city by means of an aqueduct. The equestrian statue is that of Q. Marcius Rex, who, when praetor in 144 BC, was commissioned by the Senate to repair the old aqueducts and to build one which would give a supply of water to the Capitol. This aqueduct is known as the Aqua Marcia.
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From Wikipedia:

Marcius was the family name (nomen) of the ancient Roman gens Marcia. Marcii are found during the Regal, Republican and Imperial eras. The patrician branch used the cognomen Rex, claiming royal descent from the king Ancus Marcius. The plebeian branches used the cognomina Censorinus (see Marcius Censorinus) and Philippus.

Lucius Marcius Philippus (flourished 1st century BC) was a member of a Roman senatorial family. He was a descendant of Roman King Ancus Marcius and the son of the consul and censor Lucius Marcius Philippus. He was a praetor in 60 BC, and became propraetor of Syria in 59 BC, although Appian (Syrian Wars 8.51) records that he was propraetor of Syria in 61 BC. That same year he married Atia Balba Caesonia, niece of Julius Caesar. Philippus had a son and a daughter Marcia (later the wife of Cato the Younger) from a previous marriage which had ended with his wife's death. Atia's previous husband, Gaius Octavius, had died on his return to Rome, leaving her with two children: Octavia Minor and Gaius Octavius (future Roman Emperor Augustus). Philippus cherished his stepchildren as if they were his own. He was consul of 56 BC with Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus.

Despite his marriage ties with Caesar, Philippus did not take his side in Caesar's civil war with Pompey, passing anti-Caesar legislation in the Senate. Because of this, Philippus was not given a province to govern for the year. Sensing the threat implicit in this snub, Philippus requested that Caesar allow him to sit out the war, to remain in Italy for the duration. Caesar obliged, thankful that he had not gained an enemy, even if he had not gained a supporter. Philippus became a close friend of Cicero, also waiting out the war.

The desire of Philippus to avoid conflict is evident at all times of his life. When his stepson Octavius was named Caesar's heir, Philippus attempted to dissuade him from accepting his inheritance because of the danger from Antony. He enlisted Atia to try her hand at convincing the young man to decline, but it was no use. Although he opposed Marcus Antonius, Philippus took part in the delegation sent to him at Mutina, and returned his demands to the senate. Cicero chided Philippus for this.

Atia died during August/September 43 BC and according to Ovid, Philippus later married one of Atia's sisters. He lived to old age and Augustus rewarded him for his continued loyalty. He had at least one son, Lucius Marcius Philippus.
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stevex6 · May 2, 2013

Gotta love the animal coins ... another cool RR (nice pick-up)

Bing · May 2, 2013

I'm glad somebody likes it besides me. I was beginning to feel lonely here.

randygeki · May 2, 2013

thats pretty cool

Bart9349 · May 2, 2013

The history behind the coin and the image of the aqueduct are really fantastic.

If Wikipedia is to be believed...

. By the time Frontinus measured the city's aqueducts around 97, the Aqua Marcia was capable of supplying 187,600,000 l (49,600,000 US gal; 41,300,000 imp gal) of water a day to the city, the second-greatest source of the city's water.
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"That's alotta meatballs."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_Marcia

Thanks.

guy

chrsmat71 · May 2, 2013

the reverse is great:yes:

John Anthony · May 2, 2013

That's an excellent coin! I'm curious: how common, or uncommon are architectural devices on RRs?

Windchild · May 2, 2013

Interesting RR...

Rather important issuer too!

Great Pickup! :thumb:

Mat · May 2, 2013

Nice addition.

Ancientnoob · May 2, 2013

Great coin Bing. Check out Rome the HBO series if you haven't. Its not perfect but its a really great series. Your coin would fit right in with the gamblers, money changers and brothels of the time. With the amount of wear that is on the coin. It surely passed through a lot of dirty hands.

Great Addition - and yes I too sometimes feel lonely. Good thing we have the "regulars"

Bing · May 2, 2013

John Anthony said: ↑

That's an excellent coin! I'm curious: how common, or uncommon are architectural devices on RRs?
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Not sure, but I have recently acquired two with aqueduct reverse themes.

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Another aquaduct Roman Republic

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Another aquaduct Roman Republic

Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

Guest User Guest

stevex6 Random Mayhem

Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

randygeki Coin Collector

Bart9349 Junior Member

chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

Windchild Punic YN, Shahanshah

Mat Ancient Coincoholic

Ancientnoob Money Changer

Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

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