Quintus Labienus Parthicus AR Plated “fourrée” Denarius (Parthian horse, RRC 524/2)

QUINTUS LABIENUS PARTHICUS, executed 39 BC
AR Plated “fourrée” Denarius (16.8mm, 2.32g, 12h)
Struck circa 40 BC.  Uncertain mint in south-eastern Asia Minor
Obverse: Q LABIENVS PARTHICVS IMP, bare head of Labienus right
Reverse: Parthian light cavalry horse standing right with bridle and saddle, to which bow-case and quiver are attached
References: RRC 524/2; RCV 1458

Light toning, surface plating worn through in several areas, countermarks. An extremely rare contemporary imitation of a historic type. Quintus Labienus was the son of Julius Caesar’s general Titus Labienus. After Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, Quintus Labienus joined the Liberators Brutus and Cassius to fight against the forces of Antony and Octavian. According to the historian Cassius Dio, Labienus was sent to Parthia to request military assistance from king Orodes II. While there, news arrived of Brutus and Cassius’ defeat at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. Labienus remained in Parthia and continued to lobby the Parthian king for aid. This he eventually secured, and together with the king’s son Pacorus began to devastate Roman Syria with a large army of Parthian cavalry along with those Roman legionnaires who joined his cause. After subduing Syria Labienus and Pacorus moved into Cilicia before dividing forces, with Labienus going on to invade Asia Minor while Pacorus moved south into Palestine. Meanwhile Antony, who was in Egypt, was finally compelled to rouse himself enough to send his general Publius Ventidius to deal with the rebellion. Ventidius met with Labienus near the Taurus Mountains in Cilicia and delivered a decisive defeat to the rebels. Labienus himself survived the defeat and fled, but was soon tracked down, captured, and beheaded.

Collection : Roman Imperatorial