Roman Republic, Marcius Philippus, Denarius

Roman Republic

L. Marcius Philippus (56 BC), Denarius 56 BC, Rome mint

Obverse: head of Sibyl Herophile right, hair elaborately decorated with jewels and enclosed in a sling and tied with bands

Reverse: equestrian statue standing right on aqueduct, at horse's feet, flower, below AQVA MAR ligate within the arches of

the aqueduct, PHILIPPVS above

Ancus Marcius was the fourth king of Rome (640-616 BC). The people of Marcia claimed to be directly descended from the monarch who introduced running water into Rome via the aqueduct. The equestrian statue refers to Quintus Marcius Rex, who in 144 BC as a praetor commissioned the repair of old aqueducts and the construction of the one that served the water in the Capitol (Aqua Marcia). This aqueduct was located in the Regio VIII Forum. In 144 BC rebuilding the aqueducts cost 180 million sesterces.

Weight 3,34 g.