Summary

Denarius, issued by Ancient Roman Republic, 56 BC
Moneyer: PHILIPPVS (L. Marius Philippus)
Minted in Rome

Obverse Description

Diademed head of Ancus Marcius facing right; behind, lituus; below, ANCVS

Reverse Description

Equestrian statue facing right on an aqueduct; below horse, flower (?); within arches of aqueduct, AQVA and monogram MAR; around behind statue, PHILIPPVS

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The aqueduct depicted and named on the reverse is the Aqua Marcia which was traditionally believed built by the fourth King of Rome, Ancus Marcius, who is pictured on the obverse of this coin. This aqueduct brought water to the Capitol in Rome where there may have been a statue to Q. Marcius Rex who had actually built it. If the coin is correctly interpreted that statue was equestrian. The Aqua Marcia was the first to use arches on a large scale.

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