The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 46-early 45 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.81 g, 10h). Military mint traveling with Caesar in Spain. Diademed head of Venus right, with Cupid over her shoulder / Trophy of Gallic arms, composed of helmet and cuirass, oval shield and
carnyx in each hand; two seated captives at base, the one on left a female in attitude of dejection, the one on right a bearded male with hands bound behind him. Crawford 468/1; CRI 58; Sydenham 1014; RSC 13; RBW 1639. Struck from slightly worn dies, otherwise well centered and lustrous. EF.
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 Iulus, 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.
