Jupiter and Juno Denarius Pendant

Description:

This silver denarius coin was minted in Rome by moneyer L. Procilius in 80 BC. The obverse side features the laureate head of Jupiter, who in ancient Roman religion, was the king of the gods and the god of sky and thunder. Jupiter was the Roman equivalent of Zeus in Greek mythology. With his wife Juno, Jupiter ruled over laws and social order. Juno is depicted on the reverse of this ancient coin advancing to the right with a serpent by her feet. She is holding a shield and preparing to throw a spear. Like Jupiter, Juno could also throw lightning bolts. Her Greek equivalent is Hera and she was called Regina "Queen." As “the Protector” she guarded over the finances of the Empire and had a temple in Rome, which was also the mint. Juno was worshipped as the patroness of marriage and many people believe that the most favorable time to marry is June, named after her.
Beginning in 509 BC, the largest temple in Rome was that of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. Here, Romans worshipped him alongside Juno and their daughter Minerva. On the roof was a chariot drawn by four horses with Jupiter himself as the charioteer. Temples to Jupiter and Juno were commonly built by the Romans at the center of new cities in their colonies. Jupiter and Juno remained Rome's king and queen of the gods until the era of Christianity.