Golden Artifacts Brutus Famous Roman Coin Assassination of Julius Caesar Eid Mar Denarius Unique Gift Roman Empire -20-S-

BRUTUS: (85-42BC) The liberty cap was an ancient symbol of freedom. Imperator meant “honored military commander”. The produced the coin. moneyer’s name usually appeared on Roman Republican coinage and was a sort of assay mark, guaranteeing the quality of the metal. This coin not only gives us an accurate portrait of Brutus, but confirms his participation In the assassination of Julius Caesar on the 15th of March (ides of March) in 44 BC. Brutus and a group of conspiring senators assassinated Julius Caesar. Using daggers they had hidden beneath their tunics, they stabbed Caesar 30 times. When Caesar realized his good friend Brutus was among his attackers, he asked, “Et tu, Brute?” (You, too, Brutus?). This quotation is widely used in Western Culture to signify the utmost betrayal. Brutus committed suicide in 42 BC so he would not be taken prisoner by Marc Anthony and Octavian. Soldiers Pay: Ancient Roman military commanders like Brutus had to pay their own soldiers. They frequently minted their own coinage in mint workshops that traveled with the army. They often used these coins as a means of propaganda, or to commemorate important victories. Brutus issued a series of gold and silver coins commemorating the assassination of Julius Caesar.