Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
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L. Staius Murcus AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Murcus, 42-41 BC. Head of Neptune right, with trident over shoulder / Male figure on right, holding sword in left hand and right hand raising kneeling female figure on left, between them, trophy with sword and shield, MVRCVS•IMP in exergue. Crawford 510/1; Sydenham 1315; CRI 337; Statia 1. 3.87g, 21mm, 12h.
Very Fine. Extremely Rare.
Like many commanders of the Imperatorial age, not a great deal is known about the career of L. Staius Murcus. Appian relates that he served under Caesar in Gaul and Africa, and was present at the Senate House on the Ides of March and whilst he did not participate in Caesar's murder, he approved of the deed.
Following Caesar's assassination, the Senate sent Murcus to Syria as proconsul to besiege Q. Caecilius Bassus alongside Cassius. Murcus was posted to blockade the fleet of Cleopatra as she came to the aid of Marc Antony and Octavian. Domitius Ahenobarbus was sent to assist him in this, and the two formed a highly successful partnership, which resulted in dominance over the seas between Greece and Italy. This partnership was not to last long however, and as a rift formed between the two Murcus joined forces with Sextus Pompey. Murcus' stubbornness and refusal to cooperate with Pompey's plans led to a growing suspicion on behalf of the latter, who soon had Murcus assassinated.
Very Fine. Extremely Rare.
Like many commanders of the Imperatorial age, not a great deal is known about the career of L. Staius Murcus. Appian relates that he served under Caesar in Gaul and Africa, and was present at the Senate House on the Ides of March and whilst he did not participate in Caesar's murder, he approved of the deed.
Following Caesar's assassination, the Senate sent Murcus to Syria as proconsul to besiege Q. Caecilius Bassus alongside Cassius. Murcus was posted to blockade the fleet of Cleopatra as she came to the aid of Marc Antony and Octavian. Domitius Ahenobarbus was sent to assist him in this, and the two formed a highly successful partnership, which resulted in dominance over the seas between Greece and Italy. This partnership was not to last long however, and as a rift formed between the two Murcus joined forces with Sextus Pompey. Murcus' stubbornness and refusal to cooperate with Pompey's plans led to a growing suspicion on behalf of the latter, who soon had Murcus assassinated.