DR-566 | Crawford: 426/4b
Faustus Cornelius Sulla
Faustus Cornelius Sulla

Gens: Cornelia
Moneyer: Faustus Cornelius Sulla
Date and mint: 56 BC - Rome


Obverse: Head of Hercules, right, with lion's skin. Dotted border.
Legend: S C

Reverse: Globe surrounded by three small crowns and one large crown; lower left, aplustre; bottom right, ear of wheat. Dotted border.
Legend:

Comment: The Cornelia gens was one of the oldest and most prestigious patrician families in Rome, notably Lucius Cornelius Sulla, dictator between 82 and 79 BC, who reformed the Roman political system. His grandson, Faustus Cornelius Sulla, the moneyer of this issue, tried to maintain the political and military relevance of his family, although he never achieved the same notoriety as his grandfather. He died in 46 BC, fighting on Pompey's side during the civil wars.

Faustus Cornelius Sulla, son of the dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla, had a notable political and military career, although he did not achieve the success of his father. In 60 BC, he held the position of curul aedile, during which he organized lavish games that helped reinforce the memory and legacy of his family. Faustus was a strong ally of Gnaeus Pompey the Great and fought at his side in the civil wars against Julius Caesar. After defeat at the Battle of Thapso in 46 BC, he was captured and executed. His loyalty to Pompey and the Pompeian cause reflects his attempt to preserve the prestige and influence of the Cornelia family at a time of great political turmoil in Rome.

The year 56 B.C. It was a decisive moment for the First Triumvirate, when Pompey, Caesar and Crassus reaffirmed their alliance at the Conference of Luca. Roma was embroiled in internal power struggles, as great generals tried to consolidate their control over the Republic. Faustus' broadcast reflects his family's attempt to maintain their influence amid a changing political landscape.

On the obverse, The head of Hercules, with the lion's skin, symbolizes strength and courage. Hercules, a mythological figure associated with superhuman feats, is linked to the Cornelia family's legacy of military power and heroism, especially through Sulla, who saw himself as a restorer of Roma's greatness.
On the reverse, the globe surrounded by crowns represents Roma's world dominance, a key theme in the propaganda of Gnaeus Pompey the Great, whom Faustus supported. The aplustre symbolizes the naval supremacy of Roma. The ear of wheat could allude to the control of the grain supply, another important aspect of Pompey's management, who was fundamental in stabilizing Roma's supply.

Provenance: Jean Elsen (2023)
Price: 1,840 €