GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR (49-44 BC)

"Alea iacta est – The die is cast" These words were allegedly spoken by Gaius Julius Caesar when, in January 49 BCE, he crossed the Rubicon River with his legions, thus declaring war on Rome. In the years that followed, Caesar waged a relentless civil war against his chief rival, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great).

He swiftly captured Rome and Italy before pursuing Pompey to Spain and Greece, where he ultimately defeated Pompey's legions at the Battle of Pharsalus (August 9, 48 BCE).

This denarius depicts an elephant (symbolizing Caesar and his legions) trampling a dragon or serpent (representing Pompey’s allied enemies). The reverse refers to the office Caesar had held since 63 BCE, that of the Pontifex Maximus—the chief priest of Rome.