Denarius of M. Furius L.f. Philus, Rome c. 119

Editor: So, this is a Denarius of M. Furius L.f. Philus from Rome. The coin’s small, but the imagery feels really loaded with symbolism. What’s your take on its historical context? Curator: This coin is a powerful piece of propaganda, minted during a period of intense political maneuvering in the Roman Republic. Consider how images of deities and narratives of ancestral virtue were used to legitimize power and influence public opinion. What statements is M. Furius L.f. Philus trying to make? Editor: I see Janus and a scene of what looks like the Dioscuri. Maybe it is a reference to Rome’s past and divine protection? Curator: Exactly! The choice of imagery wasn't arbitrary. Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions, and the Dioscuri, symbols of military assistance, connect Philus to foundational Roman myths. It's a carefully constructed narrative linking his family to Rome's glorious past. How might this coin influence perceptions of Philus? Editor: It’s fascinating how such a small object could carry so much political weight! Curator: Indeed! Objects like this denarius were vital tools for shaping public memory and political discourse in ancient Rome.