Description:
This Roman Republic denarius coin was minted in Rome by moneyer L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi in 90 BC. The silver denarius coin was first introduced as currency in the 3rd century BC. It became the principal denomination in the Roman World for the next five centuries and one denarius was around two days pay for a Legionnaire.
The head of Apollo is depicted on the obverse side of this coin with his hair bound with tainia. The reverse side shows a Roman horseman galloping while holding a palm frond and the reins. In ancient mythology, Apollo was seen as the most beautiful god. He was the patron god of archers, the god of light, truth and prophecy, music, poetry and the arts. Medicine and healing were also associated with Apollo, as he was seen as a god who had the ability to cure. As the patron deity of Delphi, Apollo was the prophetic god of the Delphic Oracle.
The Roman worship of Apollo was adopted from the Greeks and during a period of pestilence in the 430s BC, Apollo's first temple in Rome was built at the Flaminian fields. Over the centuries, Apollo became one of the chief gods of Rome. Caesar Augustus considered himself to be under the special protection of Apollo and was even said to be his son. After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Augustus erected a new temple to Apollo, dedicated a portion of the spoils to him and instituted annual games in his honor.
