Gaius Marcius Censorinus was a moneyer (monetalis) ca. 88 BC. In 87, as a military tribune or prefect, he commanded the cavalry that attacked and killed the consul Gnaeus Octavius, then brought his head to Cinna; the historian Appian remarks that this was the first time a consul's head was displayed on the Rostra, but unfortunately not the last.
In 82, near the end of the civil war between Sulla and the Marian-Cinnan faction, Carbo sent Censorinus with eight legions to the aid of the besieged Praeneste, but he was ambushed by Pompeius near Sena Gallica. After Carbo fled to Africa, Censorinus was among the officers who made a last-ditch effort to break Sulla's line that culminated in defeat at the Battle of the Colline Gate.
Marcius Censorinus was a name used by a branch of the plebeian gens Marcia of ancient Rome. The cognomen Censorinus was acquired through Gaius Marcius Rutilus, the first plebeian censor, whose son used it. The gens Marcia claimed descent from both Ancus Marcius, a king of Rome, and symbolically from Marsyas the satyr, who was associated with free speech and political liberty.
In 82, near the end of the civil war between Sulla and the Marian-Cinnan faction, Carbo sent Censorinus with eight legions to the aid of the besieged Praeneste, but he was ambushed by Pompeius near Sena Gallica. After Carbo fled to Africa, Censorinus was among the officers who made a last-ditch effort to break Sulla's line that culminated in defeat at the Battle of the Colline Gate.
Marcius Censorinus was a name used by a branch of the plebeian gens Marcia of ancient Rome. The cognomen Censorinus was acquired through Gaius Marcius Rutilus, the first plebeian censor, whose son used it. The gens Marcia claimed descent from both Ancus Marcius, a king of Rome, and symbolically from Marsyas the satyr, who was associated with free speech and political liberty.
Obverse: jugate heads of bearded Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius right
Reverse: Desultor right riding two horses, wearing conical cap, holding whip; XXXIII / C·CENSO
Diameter:
18.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
No notes for this coin
Crawford 346/1b, SRCV I 256, Sydenham 713b, RSC I Marcia 18