Wadih Hadad Collection (Beirut), bought from CNG Esale 380, lot 650 (From the RBW Collection; Ex Stack’s, 17 July 2002, lot 599.)
2016-08-10
Italy (Padova). Medal by Giovanni Cavino commemorating the death of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC. Caesar was the pontifex maximus (alluded by the lituus) and dictator for life. The star refers to the cometary outburst recoded in July 44 BC that the Romans considered as the sign of deification of the assassinated dictator (Caesar’s comet). The reverse legend commemorates Caesar’s famous declaration, according to Appian, in a letter sent to the Senate c. 47 BC after his swift Victory in Pontus (Asia Minor): I came. I saw. I conquered.
Bust of Julius Caesar laureate left; star above forehead; ;lituus, behind.