Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Another 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 Sabines, and on the reverse Tarpea or Tarpeia, kneeling and with hair in the wind, flanked by two young men who throw on their shields to her.

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The scene is about the legend of Tarpea, a roman heroine, daughter of Tarpeus, the man who had to look after the Capitolium while Romulus was away. Tarpea felt in love with Titus Tatius, king of Sabines, who put his army below the citadel. Tarpea promised him to open the citadel's door if he would marry her, but once entered, Titus killed Tarpea.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: 89 BC
Material: silver
Dimensions: diam mm 18,5; gr 4,05
Inventory #: 26656