This coin was issued in the "Autonomous Metropolis of Antioch". It is a large, 15.4g, AE issued in year 8 (H) of the Caesarean Era (42/41 BC). 42 BC is the year of the Battle of Philippi, the final battle in which Mark Antony and Octavian defeated the assassins of Julius Caesar (assassinated 15-March-44 BC). Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch, Civic Issue, temp. Gaius Cassius Longinus, 42-41 BC, AE (15.4 g; 28 mm) Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev: ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟ ΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. Zeus seated left, holding Nike and scepter; above, thunderbolt; in exergue, H (date). Ref: RPC 4222; McAlee 52 Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman senator, brother-in-law of Brutus, a leading conspirator in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar. After killing Julius Caesar, Cassius wanted to also kill his co-consul Mark Antony, but Brutus talked him out of it. "Cassius had been in favor of slaying Antony as well as Caesar, and of destroying Caesar's will, but Brutus had opposed him, insisting that citizens ought not to seek the blood of any but the "tyrant" — for to call Caesar "tyrant" placed his deed in a better light." - Velleius Paterculus, Roman History 2.58.2 Gaius Cassius Longinus entered the province of Syria in 43 BC and took control of the forces that were formerly led by Caecilius Bassus. He remained governor (proconsul) of Syria until his death by suicide after his defeat by Mark Antony (October 3, 42 BC). Mark Antony appointed his replacement in 41 BC, Lucius Decidius Saxa who was Governor 41-40 BC. Before being named governar, Saxa led eight legions into Thrace before the battle of Philipi in 42. Gaius Cassius Longinus died during the Battle of Philippi, over 1000km away from Antioch Syria, but he did not die in combat. Cassius committed suicide on October 3, 42 BC, after the first day of the battle. Misinterpreting the situation on the battlefield, Cassius believed that his forces had been defeated and that Brutus had also suffered a loss. In reality, Brutus' troops had achieved some success by capturing Octavian's camp. Cassius sent his trusted centurion, Titinius, to verify whether approaching troops were friend or foe. When Titinius did not return quickly (as he was being celebrated by Brutus' soldiers), Cassius mistakenly thought that Brutus had been captured. Fearing imminent defeat and capture, Cassius ordered his freedman, Pindarus, to assist him in taking his own life. The battle ultimately ended with a decisive victory for Antony and Octavian, leading to the collapse of the Liberators' cause. These Civic Issues from Antioch come with dates in multiple formats - Seleucid Era, Pompeian Era, Caesarean Era - and often the dates are not on the flan. This coin is an unusually nice example and at 15.4g a nice coin in hand. For more on coins of this type and from Antioch see: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/parthian-invasion-40-bc and/or https://www.sullacoins.com/post/julius-caesar-in-antioch Post your examples of civic coins from Antioch - or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.
Awesome coin @Sulla80 ! And, it is always a sad story of miscommunication and misinterpretation of Longinus that could had been a major change in history! I have a cracked example... possibly a portent to his fall... 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: Incitatis Coins (Steve McBride)
