Davissons Ltd.
Auction 34 21 January 2015
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ROMAN REPUBLICAN. The Social War. Marsic Confederation. 90-89 B.C. AR denarius. 3.95 gm. 18 mm. Corfinium mint. Laureate head of Italia left, wearing earring and pearl necklace; ITALIA upwards behind / Oath-taking scene of eight warriors, four on each side pointing their swords at a pig held by a youth, a standard in the background; M (?) in exergue. Sydenham 621. HN Italy 408. Good Very Fine; toned, minor porosity. Exceptional relief on the soldiers on the reverse. Rare and attractive.
The revolt of Rome's Italian allies in 91 BC was the result of an extended period of poor diplomacy by the Roman Senate. After the war broke out and two Roman consuls were defeated, leaving Rome perilously close to defeat, the Senate finally moved to nullify the threat by granting Roman citizenship to the rebel forces - the key issue at the root of the conflict. Thereafter all of Italy south of the Po was united as citizens of Rome.
The revolt of Rome's Italian allies in 91 BC was the result of an extended period of poor diplomacy by the Roman Senate. After the war broke out and two Roman consuls were defeated, leaving Rome perilously close to defeat, the Senate finally moved to nullify the threat by granting Roman citizenship to the rebel forces - the key issue at the root of the conflict. Thereafter all of Italy south of the Po was united as citizens of Rome.