Agora Auctions, LLC
Numismatic Auction 60 9 August 2016
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L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus. 89 B.C. AR denarius (18.0 mm, 3.85 g, 3 h). Rome mint. SABIN, Bare head of Tatius right; palm below chin / L·TITVRI, Tarpeia buried to her waist in shields, two soldiers with shields standing on either side; star in crescent above. Crawford 344/2c; Sydenham 699a; RSC Tituria 5. VF.
Ex D. Thomas collection.
Following the founding of Rome, ca. 750 B.C., Romulus found himself with very few women among his followers. The Romans tried, unsuccessfully, to convince the neighboring tribes to allow their women to marry into their new society. During the Roman festival of Neptune Equester, which many of Rome's neighbors attended, Romulus planned to abduct Sabine women to be Roman wives. He gave the signal, at which, the Roman men grabbed the Sabine women and fought off the men. Romulus then begged the Sabine women to accept Roman husbands. Unsurprisingly, the abduction of the Sabine women created an outrage among Rome's neighboring tribes. The Caeneneses attacked Roman territory where they were easily dispatched and their king killed. Romulus later attacked another neighboring tribe, the Caenina, and conquered them easily. These early victories sealed Rome as the dominant force in the region and uniting other outlying tribes. Romulus dedicated a temple to Jupiter Feretrius, the first temple dedicated in Rome, in 752 B.C. to commemorate his victories against his neighbors. This particular coin type illustrates the myth of Tarpeia's death: Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin who betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines as they attempted to rescue their wives and daughters. The reported prize for her betrayal was one of the soldier's gold bracelets. The Sabines were offended by Tarpeia's greed and treason. She met her death under the crushing weight of the soldiers' shields.
Ex D. Thomas collection.
Following the founding of Rome, ca. 750 B.C., Romulus found himself with very few women among his followers. The Romans tried, unsuccessfully, to convince the neighboring tribes to allow their women to marry into their new society. During the Roman festival of Neptune Equester, which many of Rome's neighbors attended, Romulus planned to abduct Sabine women to be Roman wives. He gave the signal, at which, the Roman men grabbed the Sabine women and fought off the men. Romulus then begged the Sabine women to accept Roman husbands. Unsurprisingly, the abduction of the Sabine women created an outrage among Rome's neighboring tribes. The Caeneneses attacked Roman territory where they were easily dispatched and their king killed. Romulus later attacked another neighboring tribe, the Caenina, and conquered them easily. These early victories sealed Rome as the dominant force in the region and uniting other outlying tribes. Romulus dedicated a temple to Jupiter Feretrius, the first temple dedicated in Rome, in 752 B.C. to commemorate his victories against his neighbors. This particular coin type illustrates the myth of Tarpeia's death: Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin who betrayed the city of Rome to the Sabines as they attempted to rescue their wives and daughters. The reported prize for her betrayal was one of the soldier's gold bracelets. The Sabines were offended by Tarpeia's greed and treason. She met her death under the crushing weight of the soldiers' shields.