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SOSIA, a plebeian family.--The coins, which are of second and third brass, exhibit three varieties. Amongst them are pieces bearing the head of Mark Antony.
The following offers a reverse of historical interest: C. SOSIVS IMP. A male and female captive sitting at the foot of a trophy.
This small bronze coin commemorates the victory gained by Antony, in the year v.c. 716, over Antigonus, King of Judaea, the last of the Hasmonian dynasty, who had retained the kingdom for 120 years.
The C. SOSIVS whose name appears on this coin as IMPerator was Mark Antony's Lieutenant in Syria, and sent by him (as Josephus informs u, I. xiv. c. 16) to assist Herod in taking the government from Antigonus according to the decree of the senate. These two generals having, by ther united forces gained possession of Jerusalem, Antigonus surrendered himself to Sosius, who sent him to Antony at Antioch, where he was put to death, being the first king whome the Romans had ever beheaded. And thus was the currupt, and low-born Herod confirmed in the sovereignty of Judaea, and an end put to the illustrious Hamonean family.