PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244-249). Antoninianus. Rome. Saecular Games/1000th Anniversary of Rome issue.

Obv: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG.
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SAECVLARES AVGG / II.
Lupa Romana (she-wolf) standing left, head lowered right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus.

RIC 15.

The reverse of this Antoninianus evokes one of the most widely attested legends about the foundation of Rome, faithfully reproduced from the famous sculpture preserved in the Capitoline Museums. The myth of the she-wolf suckling the twins is the result of several elaborations by various authors over the centuries, and it was only in the Augustan age that it took on the definitive form that has been handed down to us, mainly by Titus Livius. The historian tells of Aeneas who landed in Lazio and his descendants, up to Numitor, king of Alba, who was deposed by his brother Amulius. The latter had Numitor's sons killed and forced his only daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a vestal, so that she would remain a virgin and not bear a son who might one day take revenge and reclaim the throne he had usurped. The vestal virgin was raped and gave birth to twins. In an attempt to save herself, she claimed that the father of her illegitimate offspring was Mars. However, Rhea Silvia was condemned and imprisoned, while the twins were placed in a basket and abandoned on the waters of the Tiber. According to Livius, divine will caused the river to overflow and forced the servants to leave the basket in a pool near the ficus Ruminalis (in the Velabrum). Here, a thirsty she-wolf, attracted by their cries, offered to suckle them and was noticed by the king's herdsman Faustulus, who took them to be raised by his wife.

Condition: Uncirculated.

Weight: 3.62 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.