Q. POMPONIUS MUSA. Denarius (56 BC). Rome.

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right; lyre key to left.
Rev: MVSA / Q POMPONI.
Calliope standing right, playing lyre set on column.

Crawford 410/2b; RBW -.

Calliope is one of the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (goddess of memory). She was the muse of epic poetry, considered Homer's favorite and believed to be the inspiration for the Iliad and the Odyssey. Calliope was also known for being the mother of Orpheus and Linus, two highly talented musicians. The father of her children could have been the god Apollo or Oeagrus, king of Thrace, depending on the different versions of the myth. According to one tradition, she was loved by Zeus, with whom she generated the Corybantes, figures associated with ritual dance. Calliope is considered the oldest and wisest of the Muses, also famous for her confidence and authority. She played a significant role in the dispute between Aphrodite and Persephone over Adonis: acting as an impartial judge, she decreed that each of the two goddesses should spend the same amount of time with the young man. She is usually depicted with a stylus and wax tablets, with scrolls of parchment or a book, or playing the lyre, as in the case of this denarius.

Condition: Near very fine.

Weight: 3.61 g.
Diameter: 17 mm.