Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Bare

Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AR Denarius. Rome, 54 BC. Bare head of L. Junius Brutus to right; BRVTVS downwards to left / Bare head of C. Servilius Ahala right; AHAL[A] downwards to left. Crawford 433/2; BMCRR Rome 3864; RSC Junia 30. 3.82g, 20mm, 6h.



Near Mint State; two finely detailed portraits engraved in masterly style.



From the Vogelberg Collection (Switzerland), formed c. 1960-1985;

Ex Glendining & Co. Ltd. (with Spink & Son Ltd.), Auction 23, 11 December 1975, lot 166.



Caius Servilius Ahala served as magister equitum in 439 BC, when Cincinnatus was appointed dictator on the supposition that Spurius Maelius was styling himself a king and plotting against the state. During the night on which the dictator was appointed, the capitol and all the strong posts were garrisoned by the partisans of the patricians. In the morning, when the people assembled in the forum, with Spurius Maelius among them, Ahala summoned the latter to appear before the dictator; and upon Maelius disobeying and taking refuge in the crowd, Ahala rushed into the throng and killed him. Though considered an act of murder at the time, Ahala was regarded by later writers as a hero.