Description
Marcus Antonius, as Imperator and Triumvir of the Second Triumvirate, Silver Denarius (3.77g, 17mm), Legionary series, ‘Legio V Alaudae’, Patrae (?) military mint 32-31 BC. Obverse: Praetorian Galley in sail to the right, ores extended, billowing flag atop ship’s mast, legend surrounds above and below, “ANT AVG IIIVIR· R· P· C”. Reverse: The fifth Legion’s Aquila central between two Signa Militaria, “LEG V” below. RSC-32; Sear-1479; Crawford-544/18. Although struck off-centre, each legend is fully on flan and the piece exhibits scintillating hues of toning amongst the quite deep overall cabinet patina, noteworthy when viewed in hand, details near Extremely Fine, reverse Extremely Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Antōnius Augur, Triumvir reī pūblicae cōnstituendae”, with an English translation of “Antonius the Augur, Triumvir in deciding the Republic of the People”, in essence meaning “[Marcus] Antonius the Augur, Triumvir of the Second Triumvirate, one of three men responsible for the Roman Republic”. The Reverse Latin wording reads “legiō quīntus”, with an English translation of “Fifth Legion”.
Legio V Alaudae, the “Fifth Legion of the Lark”, was raised by Gaius Julius Caesar in 52 BC in Transalpine Gaul during the later stages of his Gallic campaign, first seeing action during the Siege of Alesia against a Germanic confederation commanded by Vercingetorix of the Averni. Alesia was to be one of Caesars magnum opus during the Gallic Wars, defeating the 80,000 strong garrison as well as the 70,000-100,000 strong relief force through efficient management of his legions and the masterful use of extensive contravallation and circumvallation (siege trenches), 16km and 20.7km long respectively. Following the Gallic Wars, Legio V Alaudae supported Caesar during the civil war against Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus – of note, the fifth were amongst the seven veteran legions employed during Caesar’s African campaign against Quintus Caecilius Metellus Scipio. Facing off against a combined force of Optimates and Numidians of near 90,000 soldiers and 60 elephants, Caesar employed Legio V Alaudae in a defensive position, guarding the flank in order to counter the enemy elephant advance. As the fighting commenced, it is said that the legionairies of the fifth engaged the elephants, stabbing high into weak points with their pilas and blasting their trumpets in order to frighten the beasts, causing them to turn back and trample their own men – this proved effective, and with the loss of the elephants, Scipio’s forces soon fell. Sustaining the enemy charge with such bravery, Legio V Alaudae was awarded the elephant as their symbol, becoming the only veteran Caesarian legion not to assume the bull as their emblem. Following Caesar’s death, Legio V Alaudae supported Marcus Antonius and were amongst the veteran legions to defeat their late master’s murderers at the Battle of Philippi. Later, they would take part in Antony’s war against Parthia and support him during the lost battles against Octavian which culminated in the naval defeat at the Battle of Actium on the 2nd September 31 BC. During the lead up to Actium, the numismatically iconic legionary series was struck, an example of which is featured here which bears the name “LEG V” for Legio V Alaudae, creating another tangible aspect to their legacy, their military actions and impact on Ancient Rome’s history forever to be remembered through this coin.