Lucius Plautius Plancus, Silver Denarius
Dublin Core
Title
Lucius Plautius Plancus, Silver Denarius
Subject
Lucius Plautius Plancus, Silver Denarius. Rome mint, 47 BCE.
OBVERSE: L PLAVTIVS, head of Medusa facing, wearing hoop earrings.
REVERSE: Victory facing, holding palm frond in left hand, leading four horses, PLANCVS below.
OBVERSE: L PLAVTIVS, head of Medusa facing, wearing hoop earrings.
REVERSE: Victory facing, holding palm frond in left hand, leading four horses, PLANCVS below.
Description
The story of Medusa as recounted by Ovid, first century BCE, is a sad one. Medusa starts out as a beautiful young maiden whose long, golden hair enticed the god Neptune. She was violated in the temple of Minerva - of course angering the chaste goddess. Minerva turns Medusa in the the Gorgon, and her golden hair was turned into vicious snakes.
The Gorgon’s face is one of the most recognizable icons from the ancient world. Her head was given to Athena/Minerva by Perseus, a Greek hero who slayed the monster. It was an essential part of Athena’s iconography and the image was associated with protection in military battle. The head of Medusa, known as the gorgoneion, was even featured on some Greek shields, her terrifying face thought to both scare the enemy and protect the warrior since her gaze supposedly turned one to stone.
The Gorgon’s face is one of the most recognizable icons from the ancient world. Her head was given to Athena/Minerva by Perseus, a Greek hero who slayed the monster. It was an essential part of Athena’s iconography and the image was associated with protection in military battle. The head of Medusa, known as the gorgoneion, was even featured on some Greek shields, her terrifying face thought to both scare the enemy and protect the warrior since her gaze supposedly turned one to stone.
Source
Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.071
Date
47 BCE
Rights
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Format
0.785 in
0.135 oz
0.135 oz
Language
Latin
Type
Coin
Coverage
This item is on view at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, in the Mark and Janeth Sponenburgh Gallery.
Citation
“Lucius Plautius Plancus, Silver Denarius,” Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits, accessed December 26, 2024, https://library.willamette.edu/hfma/omeka/items/show/122.