Description:
This Roman Republic denarius coin was minted in Rome by moneyer C. Licinius L.F. Macer in 84 BC. The obverse side of this coin depicts the Roman god Apollo hurling a thunderbolt. 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.
Minerva is shown on the reverse of this coin, driving a galloping quadriga or 4 horse chariot, while holding a spear and shield. She was a major Roman deity and was equated with the Greek goddess Athena. Minerva was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic and the inventor of music. In Rome, Minerva was worshipped on the Capitoline Hill as one of the Capitoline Triad, along with her father Jupiter and Queen Juno.
