Denarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Roma
110-109 BCE
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 1.8 cm (3/4 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
141595
Art Historical Context
Step into the bustling world of the late Roman Republic with this silver denarius, around 110-109 BCE. Measuring just 1.8 cm in diameter, this tiny treasure from the Art Institute of Chicago Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium collection features the goddess Roma on one side—Rome's fierce personification, often shown helmeted and armored, symbolizing the city's unyielding power and prowess. The reverse likely bears standard Republican motifs like Victory or deities, underscoring Rome's expanding empire during a time of social unrest and consular elections. As a denarius, this coin was the back...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...