Lot 3369

Description

M. Junius Brutus, (c.54 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.88 grams), obv. head of Libertas to right, draped, around LIBERTAS, rev. L. Iunius Brutus the Consul of 509 B.C., walking left between two lictors and proceded by an accensus, in exergue BRVTVS, (S.397 [EF £275], Cr.433/1, Syd.906, B.Junia 31). Nice light toning, attractive style, off centred, otherwise very fine or better and rare in this condition.

The career of Marcus Junius Brutus generally parallels that of his fellow conspirator Cassius. He was initially a moneyer in 54 B.C. and struck this coinage with its strong Republican values which he held, that led him, to take part in the assassination (a decade later) of Julius Caesar. He was shown special favour by Caesar, who appointed him governor of Cisalpine Gaul in 46 B.C. and urban praetor two later. He was the ringleader in Caesar's assassination and fled Rome. He spurned the province legally granted him and instead occupied Greece, where he proceeded to assemble troops and raise money until the Senate legalised his actions in February of 43 B.C. by voting him the command of Illyria, Macedonia and Achaea. Though allied with Cassius, he campaigned separately in order to maximize the revenues available to the Republican cause. Eventually the two joined forces in Summer of 42 B.C. for the fatal confrontation with the triumvirs Antony and Octavian at Philippi, which resulted in defeat. He took his own life.