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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;randygeki, post: 971348, member: 13719&quot;]if anyones interested heres a lil more info.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius_of_L._Censorinus" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius_of_L._Censorinus" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius_of_L._Censorinus</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>In 82 B.C., a denarius was minted by Lucius Marcius Censorinus picturing Apollo and Marsyas the satyr. The coin has attracted several interpretations because of the ambiguity of its symbolism</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Coin description</i></p><p><i>On the obverse of this coin is a representation of the god Apollo, portrayed as a young man wearing a diadem. On the reverse of the coin is an image of the satyr Marsyas, nude, carrying a wineskin[1]. He is wearing a Phrygian cap, and has a pedestal standing beside him, holding a statue, which some think is a statue of Minerva [2]. Along the side is the inscription L. Censor.[1] The image of Marsyas may be copied from a statue in the forum of Rome at this time, as implied by the pedestal in the field of the coin. [3] The coin is silver and weighs roughly 3.95 grams.[1]</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Symbolism</i></p><p><i>The Marcius gens</i></p><p><i>The symbolism may refer to the moneyer’s family line, the gens Marcia, who claimed legendary descent from Marsyas.[4] An ancestor claimed to have experienced a vision which led to the founding of games in tribute to Apollo. The brother of Lucius, Gaius Marcius Censorinus, minted a coin with the image of Apollo.[5]</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>&nbsp;Political climate</i></p><p><i>Main discussion: Marsyas, Prophecy and free speech at Rome.</i></p><p><i>Another view of the symbolism in this coin is that it is politically driven.[6] Apollo was seen as a symbol of harmony, especially in his manifestation at Rome.[7] During this time, Rome was experiencing a period of political upheaval, connected to the Social Wars.[7] Marsyas was regarded as a symbol of political freedom, particularly free speech. On the coin, Marsyas is wearing a Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty.[8]</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>L. Marcius Censorinus was a supporter of Marian or Cinnan politics, which advanced the cause of Roman citizenship for Italians during the Social Wars.[9] Gaius Marcius Censorinus was captured at the Battle of Colline Gate and beheaded by an order of Sulla, the champion of the senate&#039;s traditional privileges.[10] Many other supporters of Marian politics used images of Apollo on their coins, often in conjunction with images of Saturn, Venus and a god who is known as a young[clarification needed] Jupiter.[11]</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>&nbsp;Warding off plague?</i></p><p><i>The image of Apollo on the coin may refer to the plague of 87 B.C. Censorinus may have been invoking the god in his capacity as a healer and protector.[12]</i>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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