L. Livineius Regulus 42 BC. Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome Denarius AR 17 mm, 2,91 g

Bare head right / Venatio scene: in foreground, lion charging right toward a bestiarius who spears it; in background on left, a wounded bear sits right; on right, another bestiarius, holding sword and shield, defends himself against a tiger charging left; [L] • R]EGVLVS in exergue. Fine. Rare. Perfect centering on reverse of this notoriously off centered and popular type.  

This popular type depicts a venatio, a contest between bestiarii and various animals. Such activities served as the morning entertainment during a day at the games, with the “main event” – the gladiatorial contests – taking place in the afternoon. 

Referenz : Crawford 494/30; CRI 179; Sydenham 1112; Livineia 12; BMCRR Rome 4271-2; RBW 1735 Purchased from Savoca Jan 2022

Sammlung : Roman Republic