Roman Republic L. Valerius Flaccus

Dublin Core

Title

Roman Republic L. Valerius Flaccus

Subject

money; coins (money)

Description

The obverse side of the coin pictures the winged bust of Victory, possibly chosen in hopes for success in the Jugurthine War. The reverse pictures Mars, the god of war, holding a spear and a trophy next to grain. Also on the reverse is an apex, which is the headwear that Roman priests (Flamen) would wear. The minter, L. Valerius Flaccus, was also the Flamen Martialis, which meant that he was one of the three highest priests of the official state cult of Mars. Altogether, the portrayal of both Victory and Mars on a coin shows praise and prayer to the gods for their continued support against their enemies.

Creator

L. Valerius Flaccus

Source

Sydenham 565; Crawford306/1

Publisher

ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2020)

Date

108 BCE

Contributor

FMR, SH

Rights

University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)

Relation

[no text]

Format

Silver

Language

Latin

Type

Physical Object

Identifier

2012.02.028

Coverage

Roman Republic