Roman Republic, Q. Minucius Thermus M.f., Denarius

Very interesting denarius with a picture on the reverse, a soldier of the Roman Army, saving his friend's life in a battle with the barbarians.

Roman Republic

Q. Minucius Thermus M.f., Denarius 103 BC, Rome mint

Obverse: Mars head in helmet facing left

Reverse: Roman legionnaire fighting a barbarian, at the same time protecting his lying companion, in the episode the inscription Q TERM MF (in the ligature)

Weight 3.7 g

The ancestor of Quintus Minucius Thermus, of the same name, was elected consul in 193 BC. He designated Liguria as his province. From his base in Pisa, he waged a war against the Ligurians. He remained as proconsul in Liguria from 191–190 BC and during this time he probably won the Corona Civica, the second largest military decoration awarded to the soldier who saved the life of a Roman citizen during a fight - this act is shown on the reverse. It is also highly likely that he was the same Thermus who served as a military tribune under Scipio in North Africa in 202 BC.