02 01 Augustus. Tarpeia

Augustus. 27 B.C.-14 A.D. AR. Denarius. Rome Mint. 19-18 B.C. 3.5g, 20 mm. Obv: CAESAR AVGVSTS, bare head righ. Rev: TVRPILIANVS III VIR, Tarpeia facing, buried to the waist in shields. RIC I 299. RSC 494, BMC 29.

Tarpeia, daughter of the commander of the citadel, betrayed her fellow Romans to the Sabines when they came to attack Rome. Tarpeia offered to admit the Sabines into the city in return for what they wore on their arms. She had in mind the gold torques the Sabines usually wore. The Sabines agreed, but disgusted by her greed, the gave her the shields they worn on their arms and put her to death by crushing her under their shields. She was then thrown from a high cliff above the city. The Tarpeian Rock, from which traitors were thrown in Rome, is named after her.

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Filename:	Augustus_Tarpeia.jpg
Album name:	Lucas H / Twelve Caesars in Silver
Filesize:	66 KiB
Date added:	Apr 10, 2011
Dimensions:	478 x 218 pixels
Displayed:	121 times
URL:	https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=66226
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Comment 1 to 4 of 4

Page: 1

Aarmale

[Apr 10, 2011 at 07:54 PM]

The rev. looks painful for Tarpeia... Very Happy

Joe Sermarini

[May 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM]

Nice type and Forum has not had a single example, yet.

Legatus

[Sep 04, 2011 at 09:55 PM]

I've looked at your coin many times and am sooooooo jealous

ickster

[Dec 13, 2013 at 09:08 PM]

I've been wanting a "Tarpeia" type for a while, just for the story line, but I never knew there was an Augustus type. Now I want one! Nice coin. Congrats.

Comment 1 to 4 of 4

Page: 1