Sextus Pompey. Silver Denarius (3.84 g), 37/6 BC. Uncertain mint in Sicily.

Description

Roman Empire: Sextus Pompey Silver Denarius

Date: 37/6 BC
Weight: 3.84 g
Mint: Uncertain, possibly in Sicily
NGC Grading: F (Fine)

Obverse:

• Inscription: (MA)G PI-VS IMP ITER
• Design: Diademed head of Neptune facing right with a trident over his far shoulder.
• Details: Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, symbolizes Sextus Pompey’s naval power and command. The diadem and trident emphasize his association with maritime strength and divine favor.

Reverse:

• Inscription: PRÆF CLAS ET [O]-R-Æ (MAR)I(T E)X S C
• Design: A naval trophy set on an anchor, with the top of a trident visible above a helmet. The arms of the trophy are composed of the stem of a prow on the right and an aplustre on the left. The heads of Scylla and Charybdis are at the base.
• Details: The naval trophy and the imagery of Scylla and Charybdis, mythological sea monsters, further highlight Sextus Pompey’s dominance and victories at sea.

Historical Context:

Sextus Pompey:

• Background: Sextus Pompey was the younger son of Pompey the Great, a prominent military and political leader of the late Roman Republic. After his father’s defeat and assassination, Sextus continued his legacy by controlling the seas and opposing the Second Triumvirate (Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus).
• Naval Command: Sextus established a strong naval base in Sicily, from where he commanded a formidable fleet. His control of the seas allowed him to disrupt grain supplies to Rome, leveraging his power to negotiate with the Triumvirs.
• Conflict and Decline: Despite several successes, Sextus eventually faced defeat. In 36 BC, he was defeated by Agrippa, Octavian’s admiral, at the Battle of Naulochus. Sextus fled to the East but was eventually captured and executed in 35 BC.

Significance of the Coin:

• Propaganda: This denarius served as a piece of propaganda, emphasizing Sextus Pompey’s naval achievements and his role as “Commander of the Fleet and the Sea Coasts” (PRÆF CLAS ET ORÆ MARITIMÆ EX S C).
• Symbolism: The imagery of Neptune and the naval trophy underscores Sextus’s maritime strength, while the mythological references to Scylla and Charybdis highlight the dangers and power of the sea, reinforcing his command over such perils.
• Legacy: Coins like this denarius reflect the turbulent period of the late Republic, marked by civil wars and shifting allegiances. Sextus Pompey’s resistance against the Triumvirate and his naval prowess left a lasting impact on Roman history.

For further information, please call 212 3191077.