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Roman Republic, L. Rubrius Dossenus, 87 B.C.
Athens chose the wrong side in Rome's war with Mithridates, portrayed as a war of Greek freedom against Roman domination. In 87 B.C., Sulla's siege of Athens was long and brutal. The population was reduced to eating shoe leather and grass. A delegation was sent to Sulla, but instead of serious negotiations, they expounded on the glory of their city. Sulla sent them away saying: “I was sent to Athens, not to take lessons, but to reduce rebels to obedience.” Sulla's rough battle-hardened legions took Athens on 12 February 86 B.C. Blood was said to have literally flowed in the streets, it was only after the entreaties of a couple of his Greek friends and the pleas of the Roman Senators in his camp that Sulla decided enough was enough. Before he left Athens, Sulla burnt the Port of Piraeus to the ground. It was "some time" before Aristion and his followers on the Akropolis eventually surrendered, after their water had run out. Rome's show of vengeance ensured Greece would remain docile during later civil wars and Mithridatic wars.RR75831. Bronze as, Crawford 348/5, Sydenham 709, BMCRR I Rome 2461, Russo RBW 1326, SRCV I 749, aVF, green patina, Rome mint, weight 10.757g, maximum diameter 29.0mm, die axis 45o, 87 B.C.; obverse laureate head of bearded Janus, snake entwined cylindrical altar in center; reverse prow of galley right, L RVBRI / DOSSEN in two lines above, I (mark of value) to right, ROMA below; from the Andrew McCabe Collection; SOLD
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