Rome had endured 2 grueling wars with Carthage with the First Punic War 264-241 BCE and the Second Punic War (The War with Hannibal) 218-201 BCE. The Second War was very brutal on Rome where Hannibal massacred upwards of 150,000 Legionaries within a short 18 month period early in the War. (Battles of Trebbia, Trasimene, and Cannae). Hannibal carried the War on for a 17 year period, wreaking havoc in Italia all that time. Rome persevered, accepting defeat as a non-option! The fear of Carthage continued on for many years after the Second Punic War. As a result of losing the War, Carthage had to pay off humiliating HUGE indemnities for many years. Afterwards, Carthage finally began rebuilding itself again. Instead of relying on their lost empire for wealth, Carthage successfully developed and exploited their own territories within the confines of a territory Rome allowed them. Their success in amassing great wealth again, building a second harbor (naval), and rebuilding their military began to terrify Rome... again. Senator Cato (The Elder) went to Carthage to see what was happening with their new-found strength. After his return to Rome, he ended every speech with "Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam" – "And I also think that Carthage must be destroyed". Romans fomented the Third Punic War 149-146 BCE resulting in the utter extermination of Carthage. An enormous amount of the population was killed, the city was totally razed, sacked of every scrap of wealth, and a small remain of the population was sold into slavery. I understand from my readings that even the Roman Commander Scipio Aemilianus was opposed to the Senate's order of total destruction... but he did carry the orders out. Carthage was no more! Hey, those Roman coins you get from the Carthage mint is from the Roman COLONY of Carthage, and NOT the original City of Carthage... kinda makes them all a Carthage "facsimiles"!!! he-he-he I wanted to find a nice Denarius from Rome for 146 BCE that represented this Critical Juncture in Human History... found one! Roman Republic AR Denarius Moneyer C Antestius Rome mint 146 BCE 3.97g 19.0mm Obv: Helmeted head of Roma Right, mark of value 'X' (yes, 10 Asses), C ANTESTI behind Rev: Dioscuri galloping right, (BONUS for me!) puppy-dog running right, in ex ROMA Craw 219/1e This complements my arguably LAST coin series minted by Carthage (my SNG COP North Africa book show no coins from Carthage until the Roman colony began minting 37-36 BCE then Augustus in 27 BCE). Carthage Third Punic War AR Serrate Double Shekel 149-146 BCE 12.8g 26mm Obv: Wreathed Tanit left Rev: Horse pellet raised leg SNG COP 404 Here is that Cato-guy I mentioned... yeah, this old crusty greedy angry little guy wanted everything that he could get from Carthage... The Carthaginian Empire through the Three Punic Wars Wiki does a good job with an overview of The Punic Wars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punic_Wars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Punic_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carthage_(c._149_BC) Feel free to post anything cool!
Great history/ coins. The difference between the Romans/Scipio and Carthaginians/ Hannibal were that Hannibal was the greatest military leader of his time, also was a nice guy, Scipio was a brutish thug, who could only win if he vastly outnumbered his opponent. Hannibal won tremendous victories, although outnumbered.
A fantastic pair of coins, right up my alley! (I appreciate the attention to historically important dates.) Plus a lovely writeup, thank you! This one was issued in 146/5 BCE, but in Phoenicia (Arados): And this is my nearest Republican, a fourrée; the original type was issued in 148 BCE (L. Sempronius Pitio):
At 116/5 BC, this is my oldest republican and my nearest coin to 146 BC. I want to start getting more heavily into Roman Republic coins. What are the best references for both IDing coins and giving backstories? @Alegandron
Hmmm...I started a passion for the Roman Republic from my 7th and 8th Grade English and Literature Teacher. She was a VERY tough old bird. I could only make ‘C’s in her class, but she combined a little ancient history with the Greek and Latin word roots. She was very clear if we had questions, to use the library. To boot, she was my neighbor’s Grandmother and a good friend of my Mother. Rats... I was trapped. I had to write papers, etc so several were on the Roman Republic. Fast forward through University, and my career. I read Ancient History a lot and know many of the stories. I just hit some books, Wikipedia, and Google to fill in what I forgot (some names, some dates, a lot of ‘Oh yeah, forgot that!’) Even though I HATED being in her classes (2 years in Jr High is an ETERNITY), I still remember all the English learning, Latin and Greek roots, and so much of the Roman Republic. It got me to read and learn as much as I could absorb through life. So, to answer your question: I remember many things from my readings, then Wiki, Google, or pore through a few books that I kept to write a few blurbs. I was hindered being a severe dyslexic, but forcing myself to read a very enjoyable subject helped me overcome it. For RR References: I like 'SEAR / Spink Roman Coins and Their Values Vol I and II' by David Sear; and a lot of online reading / checking. As to back stories: that is all History, and not so much from the Coin Books / Sites. I learned about the Januform during Jr Hi... it was my first Roman Denarius: RR M Furius LF Philus AR Denarius 119 BCE Janus Sear 156
I highly recommend Clive Foss's Roman Historical Coins, which covers both the Republican period and the Empire. Coins are listed by type & their historical context is explained (for types that can be connected with an historical event). A must for the history-based collector, IMO.
Ordered, thank you for the tip! ALSO, UPDATE: I really have been enjoying Kennith W. Harl's "Coinage in the Roman Economy 300 B.C. to A.D 700". I am almost finished, and realized that after the abandoning of the Denarius, Rome lost their way. (Sorry LRB fans). Sorry book fans, I TOTALLY mark up a book. It is the only way my beady-little-mind can retain knowledge... I CONSUME books.
