Roman, minted in Sicily
Denarius (Coin) Portraying Pompey the Great
INV-9604
Roman, minted in Sicily42-40 BCE, issued by Roman Republic, Sextus Pompeius Magnus
Denarius (Coin) Portraying Pompey the Great
Roman, minted in Sicily →roman (ancient, style or period)ancientrepublic periodcoinancient art
Date
42-40 BCE, issued by Roman Republic, Sextus Pompeius Magnus
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 2 cm (13/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of Pompey the Great, facing right. Priestly instruments, a praefericulum (tall vase with handle) and lituus (staff), appear to left and right. On the back (reverse), Anapius and Amphinomus carry their parents; between them, Neptune stands with his foot on a ship prow.
Coins were an efficient form of publicity, particularly when new rulers needed to legitimize their succession or strengthen their reputation. After Pompey’s defeat by Julius Caesar, his sons tried to revitalize their father’s reputation and thereby enhance their own stature by issuing coins with Pompey’s portrait, such as this one.
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