Ancient Roman Imperatorial - 46 BCE Julius Caesar AR Denarius NGC Choice XF

Ancient Rome - 46 BC Julius Caesar AR Denarius NGC Choice XF $5,500.00

      It is more than likely that this issue was minted to pay his legions after the successful battle of Thapsus, 6 April B.C. 46. It took place near Thapsus in modern day Tunisia. The republican forces of the Optimates were defeated by troops who were fiercely loyal to Julius Caesar. It was one of Caesar's trumpeters who sounded the battle charge. Caesar's archers attacked the elephants, resulting in them panicking and trampling to death their own men. However, the elephants on the left flank charged Caesar's center, where the Legio V Aluadae ("Fifth Legion of the Lark"), a battle-tested legion of the Roman Imperial army, was stationed. This legion met the charge of those magnificent beasts with such bravery that afterwards they wore an elephant as their symbol. Caesar's cavalry outsmarted the enemy, destroying the fortified camp, and forced the enemy into retreat. King Juba's combined troops abandoned the site and the outcome of the battle was determined. Caesar pursued his retreating enemies, causing the flight or death of many of the anti-caesarean Romans.