![]() While impossible to divine Caesar’s true intent, the possibility remains that Caesar was invoking the ancient rivalry between the two animals, presumably identifying himself with the elephant, whose figure dominates the coin’s flan. For instance, Pliny the Elder recounted their perpetual discordia in a tale of battle wherein the snake eventually kills the elephant, only to be crushed under the weight of its falling foe. Interestingly, some Romans considered the snake and elephant as natural enemies. Regarding the snake, explanatory theories abound, including those positing an allegorical battle between good and evil. ![]() Therefore, it is not unreasonable to theorize that Caesar’s elephant denarius was intended to mock Pompey. Of course, Caesar knew this, as he strove to promote himself above his ally-turned-enemy. If anything, Pompey had earned embarrassment for his attempts to exploit elephants. Embarrassingly, the scene rallied the crowds’ sympathies against Pompey. Pompey also employed elephants in the extravagant games for his theatre’s opening in 55 BC. Unfortunately for Pompey, the entrance was not large enough, forcing the chagrined hero to improvise a more mundane entrance. During his first Triumph in 81 BC the great imperator attempted to impress the populace by driving his elephant-drawn chariot through Rome’s gates. It was no coincidence that Pompey, wishing his reputation to be comparable to Alexander’s, encouraged his own association with elephants. Importantly, the large and powerful elephant had become associated with Alexander the Great, even though the Macedonian marauder did not actually employ them in battle. The elephant motif as a numismatic device was employed on earlier Roman and Hellenistic coinage. However, the most satisfying explanation involves Caesar’s clever attack against his political opponents, notably Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey the Great. Interpretations range from a representation of good over evil to a play on the Punic term for pachyderm. This extraordinary imagery (the only instance Caesar employed an elephant) still draws attention today, the subject of intense debate among historians and numismatists alike. The verso portrays an elephant facing right, with its trunk defiantly raised upwards, about to trample what appears to be a horned serpent, and, in exergue, the simple, yet striking, legend of CAESAR. These religious symbols emphasize Caesar’s religious post as well as provide a reminder of his claimed relationship with the gods, such as Venus. The obverse depicts religious implements associated with Caesar’s office of Pontifex Maximus: a culullus (a ritual cap), an aspergillum (a brush used to sprinkle holy water), a securis (a single-bladed, double-handed, and animal-headed axe), and a simpulum (a long-handled ladle used at sacrifices, for example to share libations). These coins were struck by Caesar’s military mint in the millions - without formal Senate approval – to advertise both his own achievements and the shortcomings of his opponents. This silver and gold was used for striking coins, such as this so-called elephant denarius, the first coin directly attested to the Caesarian side during the civil war. He addressed the remaining Senators, and, with his growing political power and extraordinary charisma, managed to procure vast quantities of public precious metals. Caesar had recently led his troops across the Rubicon, and arrived in a Rome deserted by his political enemies. A notable example is this famous denarius, struck by Julius Caesar soon after he triggered the Great Roman Civil War.Ĭaesar probably struck this marvel of self-promotion in mid 49 BC, a crossroads in ancient history. More than a means for exchanging goods and services, they publicized - and even influenced – the very course of ancient history. Their wondrous, diverse iconography frequently epitomizes the setting in which they were struck. Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient denarius struck by Julius Caesar, part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set.Īncient coins provide us with a palpable link to a specific time and place in history.
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