Description

The Coin

Marcus Herennius (108-107 BCE)
Silver Denarius
Obv: “PIETAS” Personified, diademed head of Pietas.
Rev: “M. HERENNI” Catanean brother carrying his father; control shape bottom right

Marcus Herennius and Pietas

The obverse of this coin displays a personified head of Pietas with a necklace around his neck.  The reverse of this coin depicts Marcius Herrenius, one of the Catanaean brothers, running right with his father on his shoulders. Herennia (latinized to become Herennius) were a family from southern Italy. When Mt. Etna erupted, one of the brothers carried his father from danger in an example of Pietas. The image of Pietas held high importance in Rome. Often depicted with the figure seen on the obverse, temples were built in “her” honor and it became a symbol of loyalty throughout the Roman Republic.

Symbolism and Significance

TBA