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Denarius of L. Censorinus

In 82 BC, a denarius was minted by Lucius Marcius Censorinus picturing Apollo and Marsyas the satyr. The coin has attracted several interpretations because of the ambiguity of its symbolism.^[2]

Coin description[edit]

On the obverse of this coin is a representation of the god Apollo, portrayed as a young man wearing a diadem. On the reverse of the coin is an image of the satyr Marsyas, nude, carrying a wineskin.^[2] He is wearing a Phrygian cap, and has a pedestal standing beside him, holding a statue, which some think is a statue of Minerva.^[3] Along the side is the inscription L. Censor.^[2] The image of Marsyas may be copied from a statue in the Roman Forum at this time, as implied by the pedestal in the field of the coin.^[4] The coin is silver and weighs roughly 3.95 grams.^[2]

Symbolism[edit]

The Marcius gens[edit]

The symbolism may refer to the moneyer’s family line, the gens Marcia, who claimed legendary descent from Marsyas.^[5] An ancestor claimed to have experienced a vision which led to the founding of games in tribute to Apollo. The brother of Lucius, Gaius Marcius Censorinus, minted a coin with the image of Apollo.^[6]

Political climate[edit]

Another view of the symbolism in this coin is that it is politically driven.^[7] Apollo was seen as a symbol of harmony, especially in his manifestation at Rome.^[8] During this time, Rome was experiencing a period of political upheaval, connected to the Social Wars.^[8] Marsyas was regarded as a symbol of political freedom, particularly free speech. On the coin, Marsyas is wearing a Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty.^[9]

L. Marcius Censorinus was a supporter of Marian or Cinnan politics, which advanced the cause of Roman citizenship for Italians during the Social Wars.^[10] Gaius Marcius Censorinus was captured at the Battle of the Colline Gate and beheaded by an order of Sulla, the champion of the Senate's traditional privileges.^[11] Many other supporters of Marian politics used images of Apollo on their coins, often in conjunction with images of Saturn, Venus and a god who is known as a young^{[clarification needed]} Jupiter.^[12]

Warding off plague?[edit]

The image of Apollo on the coin may refer to the plague of 87 BC. Censorinus may have been invoking the god in his capacity as a healer and protector.^[13]

References[edit]