I'll first confess that I've stolen my thread title from the fourth episode of HBO's TV series, Rome . At this point of the series, Pompey has already fled Rome at the approach of Caesar's legion, and in this episode, discovers to his dismay that some of the men he had sent to empty the Republic's Treasury of all its gold had instead decided to make off with it themselves. To his even greater displeasure, he learns that his men had encountered two of Caesar's own - Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo - who beat them off and took possession of their wagons, with one of them (Pullo, naturally) deciding that he would keep all the Treasury loot for himself. In a more contemporary and certainly more accurate account of the events, Pliny the Elder tells us that Caesar, on crossing the Rubicon and entering Rome in 49 BC, took from the aerarium (the Treasury located in the basement of the Temple of Saturn on the Capitoline Hill) a massive hoard of gold and silver, as well as the equivalent of 7.5 million denarii worth of coin. One of those coins could very well have been this one... ROMAN REPUBLIC Manius Acilius Glabrio, moneyer AR Denarius. 3.78g, 19mm. Rome mint, 49 BC. Crawford 442/1a; Sydenham 922. O: Laureate head of Salus right; SALVTIS behind. R: Valetudo standing left holding serpent and leaning elbow on column; MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV around. Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, ANS 1001.1.12776 I don't have the Michael Harlan book with a chapter on this moneyer, but writing in an online forum thread a few years ago, he postulates that this issue of Glabrio's from 49 BC was struck in support of Pompey, and that the obverse bust of Salus speaks to the idea that Pompey and the optimates were fighting to preserve the health (salus) of the Republic. He goes on to suggest that the bulk of the coin that Caesar took from the Treasury for his own use was this exact type. The very specific choice of depicting Valetudo, the goddess of physical well-being, on the reverse of the coin, is also an interesting one. It's been suggested that the Acilia were responsible for the early promotion of private medical practice in Rome, but there is no actual evidence to support this theory. On the other hand, Glabrio may have been raised as a child in Pompey's house (his mother, Aemilia Scaura, was Pompey's second wife), and the choice may have been made in connection with Pompey's recovery from a grave illness the year before, an event which was widely celebrated throughout Italy. Ironically, Pompey would be dead before the end of 48 BC. Please feel free to post your M. Acilius Glabrio coins!
Interesting coin, Z-- and even more interesting writeup. You have a knack for creating very tasty information-packed amuse-bouches .
I think mine is struck from a worn die. Parts are still crisp, but the higher points on the reverse are rather worn. I liked the toning on this one. I do have Harlen, and he suggests date of 50BC and that it also related to Pompey's illness, linking his health to the health of the state.
Yup... the informational equivalent of a tablespoonful is about what I generally aim for. You're going to have to get your appetizers and main courses elsewhere .
Very nice, well detailed coin @zumbly. Mine is rather worn: MAN ACILIUS GLABRIO ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS ACILIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: SALVTIS, head of Salus right REVERSE: MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV, Salus standing left holding serpent Rome 49 BC 3.37g, 20mm Cr442/1a, Acilia 8
Love the coin and the 'narrative' @zumbly !! I always envy those who write clearly and succinctly----especially when it is presented in an interesting and informative way. Unfortunately, I tend to be a bit stiff and verbose..... Here's my example ( purchased from ACM):
Thanks for all your comments and sharing your examples of this interesting type, folks. That so many of us in this group have one in their collection really points to how many were struck. I'm not with my notes right now, but I recall that Crawford recorded something like 600+ obverse and 700+ reverse dies for this issue.
Good memory : 651/723 according to Crawford ! Interesting and beautiful type. I don't have any of those unfortunately Q
Nice @zumbly ! Nice write up... makes this issue VERY interesting. RR Man Acilius Glabrio 49 BCE Salus Valetudo snake Craw 442/1a RR Acilius Glabrio 49 BCE AR Den Salus Valetudo snake S412 Cr 442/1a
Nice, my example. Man. Acilius Glabrio ( 49 B.C.) AR Denarius O: SALVTIS behind, laureate head of Salus right, wearing earring and necklace; hair in knot, falling down neck. R: MN. ACILIVS III. VIR. VALETV, Valetudo (Salus) standing left, holding serpent, resting elbow on column. Rome 18mm 3.9g Sear 412; Crawford 442/1a; CRI 16; Sydenham 922