Archaeological Museum of Bologna

The denarius issued in Rome by the monetary magistrate L. Titurius Sabinus in 89 BC shows on the obverse the head of Titus Tatius, king of the Sabines, and on the reverse a scene relating to the history-legend of the Rape of the Sabine: two young, moving, hold in the arms two women trying to break free.

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It's a suggestive composition both for the sense of movement and immediacy of significate. According to the legend, Titus Tatius was chosen as Sabini's commander in order to seek revenge for their women kidnapping. After the peace was established that Romans and Sibini should be a unique population, ruled by Titus Tatius and Romolus.

Provenance: Palagi Collection
Datation: 89 BC
Material: silver
Dimensions: diam mm 19; gr 3,70
Inventory #: 29758