357/1b. Norbana (83 BC)

AR Denarius (83 BC)

O/ Diademed head of Venus right; C NORBANVS upwards before; control-number CLI behind. 

R/ Grain-ear, fasces, caduceus.

4.03g

Crawford 357/1b (156 obverse dies/173 reverse dies)

Same dies as Ars Coin Wien Live Auction 2, lot 154.

Gaius Norbanus C.f.:

Norbanus belonged to the plebeian gens Norbana.  His family largely benefited from the patronage of Marius and the Populares, as his father Gaius Norbanus became a Novus homo by reaching the consulship in 83 BC, who in turn probably made his son moneyer.  He played an important role as Praetor in Sicily in 89-88 BC, by building a fleet to send wheat to Rhegion, which was besieged by the Samnites during the Social War.

The reverse of this denarius refers to this event and can be seen as a propaganda piece, since it promotes the action of a sitting Consul, who was at the time fighting for the Populares against Sulla.  However, Norbanus was subsequently defeated by Sulla at the Battle of Mount Tifata, near Naples, and committed suicide the following year in exile in Rhodes.  The Norbanii were then persecuted by the Dictator, which explains why we do not know any member until 43 BC, when the moneyer's son Gaius became Praetor.  His family was probably too much associated with the Populares to receive the best offices and had to wait until the final victory of Caesar to see the honours again.

In 42 BC, Norbanus' son (with the cognomen Flaccus) was then sent to Macedonia to secure several mountain passes to block Brutus and Cassius whilst Antony and Octavius were building a larger army. He accomplished his task with merits and considerably eased the work of the Triumvirs at the Battle of Philippi.  Out of gratitude, Octavius gave him the consulship in 38 BC.  The Emperor Augustus extended his good will to Flaccus' homonymous son, who was made Consul in 24 BC. His grandsons Caius Norbanus Flaccus and Lucius Norbanus Balbus also became consuls in AD 15 and AD 19 respectively.

Collection : Roman Republic