The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 46-early 45 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.93 g, 6h). Military mint traveling with Caesar in Spain. Diademed head of Venus right, with Cupid behind shoulder / Trophy with oval shield and
carnyx (Gallic arms) between seated female and male captives; CAESAR in exergue. Crawford 468/1; CRI 58; Sydenham 1014; RSC 13. Good VF, toned, minor flan flaws.
Ex Dr. Robert A. Kilmarx Collections.
The Julian clan (Gens Julia) traced its lineage back to Venus. The goddess’ tryst with Anchises resulted in the birth of the hero Aeneas, who in turn had a son Ascanius, also known as Julus, who was the eponym of the Julian clan. Caesar’s association with Venus and with figures closely associated with the founding of Rome served as a principal theme in his political marketing.
