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Roman Republic, Denarius

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

This Roman denarius from the year 46 BC depicts Apollo, an important and very complex god. He was the god of light and sun, of truth and prophecy, of archery, medicine and healing, of music, poetry, and the arts. What he stands for on this coin is not entirely clear.

The reverse shows a curule chair with a wreath on top. That was a seat assigned to high magistrates, who sat on it for official acts and ceremonies.

The wreath laying on the chair might refer to a privilege that Caesar was bestowed with after the Battle of Thapsus, early in the year 46. He had defeated his enemies there and thus set an end to the opposition in Africa. After that he was allowed to sit on a curule chair during the sessions of the Senate.

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