DR-492 | Crawford: 401/1
Manlius Aquillius
Manlio Aquillius

Gens: Aquillia
Moneyer: Manlius Aquillius
Date and mint: 71 BC - Rome


Obverse: Helmet Bust of Virtus, right, draped. Dotted border.
Legend: VIRTVS IIIVIR

Reverse: Warrior, holding shield in left hand and lifting fallen figure with right hand. Dotted border.
Legend: SICIL MN AQVIL MN F MN N

Comment: In this denarius, the coin reminds us of the value of the consul Manius Aquilius in Sicily around 101 BC, when he freed the island from the insurgent slaves. During the campaign he faced the leader of the rebels, Athenion, in battle, whom he defeated, ending the war. For this victory he was received in Rome with all honors and celebrated a triumph in 98 BC.

At the time of the coinage, around 65 BC, Crassus and Pompey were beginning to concentrate political power after the defeat of Spartacus. The moneyer manius Aquilio, grandson of the consul, evoked the heroic figure of his ancestor. On the obverse appears the bust of Virtus, a symbol of military valor, while on the reverse we see Aquillius lifting Sicily, represented as a fallen female figure. The scene commemorates the restoration of order after the insurrection. This denarius combines family memory and political propaganda, at a time when the memory of ancient victories served to reinforce the morale and authority of the Republic.

Provenance: Gemini LLC (2011)
Price: 1,936 €