L. Sempronius Pitio Denarius

The Story

This coin was struck during one of the most transformative periods in Roman history. In 148 BC, Rome was completing its conquest of Greece — the very year this coin was minted saw the destruction of Corinth and the final subjugation of Macedonia. The Roman Republic was rapidly transforming from an Italian power into the dominant force of the Mediterranean world. Within two years, Carthage would also be utterly destroyed, leaving Rome without rivals.

Historical Context

Rome completing conquest of Greece, destruction of Corinth

• •Third Punic War ongoing (149-146 BC) — Rome's final war against Carthage
• •Fourth Macedonian War concluding — Macedonia becomes Roman province
• •Destruction of Corinth (146 BC) — Greece fully subjugated
• •Rome transforming from Italian power to Mediterranean superpower

This coin circulated during Rome's transformation into the dominant Mediterranean power, when the Republic was conquering both Carthage and Greece simultaneously.

Symbolism

Design

What Could This Buy?

A Roman legionary soldier earned approximately 112.5 denarii per year. This single coin therefore represented roughly 3 days of a soldier's pay. With one denarius, a Roman could purchase about 12 loaves of bread, a day's supply of grain for a small family, or a simple meal at a tavern with wine.

Worth Knowing

• ◈The X mark means 'ten asses' — the denarius literally means 'tenner' in Latin
• ◈Just 7 years after this coin was struck, the denarius was revalued to 16 asses
• ◈Soldiers' cash pay was supplemented by room, board, bonuses, and retirement grants — their wages were essentially spending money

Origin

Details