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Roman Republic, Marsic Confederation, Denarius

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Roman Republic, Marsic Confederation, Denarius (obverse) Roman Republic, Marsic Confederation, Denarius (reverse)

In the year 91 BC, the Roman allies on the Italian Peninsula revolted against Rome to compel Roman citizenship. In the following War of the Allies (unitl 88 BC), they forced Rome to grant their demands and allow them Roman citizenship. Before that, however, they had to fight bitter battles against the Romans.

Under the leadership of the Marsi, the rebels joined to some kind of union (hence the name Marsic Confederation). They then issued large amounts of denarii that they used as means of propaganda against Rome. The coins bore the head of Italia or of Mars on the obverse. This one features on the reverse an oath scene symbolizing the unity of the confederation of Italian states: Four armed men take the oath by touching a pig held by a kneeling man with their swords.

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Signet Sunflower Foundation