ENEMIES OF ROME

The obverse is of a conjoined head of the Dioscuri twins who originated from Greek mythology. The reverse features a part frontal view of a galley. Gaul had never been a unified country but consisted of many tribes that were independent and were often riddled with hostile and sometimes violent rivalries. At the start of 52 BC, a rebellion had spread throughout much of Gaul which was led by the chieftains Caesar had promoted and showed the most favor to. It was the winter of 52, when almost all the tribes joined to expel the Romans from their lands. Which resulted in a massive war that tested Caesar’s limits, both him as a Roman general and the army he led. The Conquest of Gaul ended up being a serious political failure and the greatest military obstacle Caesar ever faced. 

Emperor Hadrian, who ruled from 117–138 CE, went to Britain in 122 where he initiated the construction of a large wall. Later named the Hadrian’s Wall, is a barrier that took 6 years to construct and which extended from coast to coast across northern Britain. It totaled 73 miles (118 km) from Wallsend (Segedunum) on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west. The main purpose to protect the territory from barbarian invaders from the north. 

The obverse is of Arethusa, a water nymph and patron deity of Syracuse. The reverse is of chariot being pulled by four horses with the Greek god Nike descending from above. Syracuse was a major city on the island of Sicily that had joined allegiance with Carthage after the death of their former ruler Hieron II. Their new government became a target of Rome and the Siege of Syracuse as part of the Second Punic War between 214-212 BCE. The capture of Syracuse by Rome marked the end of the independence of the Greek cities. Noted mathematician and inventor Archimedes, who took part in the city’s defense and helped devise tactics that would sink Roman ships. His involvement in the city’s protection later led to his death.