The Abraham Cowley Text and Image Archive

Out-Bruting the Brutes

Roman republic, AR denarius, , Sergia 1 (116-15 BC). Obv.: Roma helmeted head r., EX S C and ROMA * flanking Rev.: One-armed rider riding l. waving sword and severed Celtic head, M. SERGI SILVS in exergue. This remarkable coin flaunts the feats of an ancestor Sergius, who outdid the headhunting barbarians themselves with his wildman heroics; see Pliny the Elder, NH 7.104-06. Related links: Winners and Losers / Herculean Virtue / Ancient Britaines Depicted / Amazon en garde? Return to Numismatica Index