Tag: denarius

For St. Valentine’s Day: A denarius of the Roman Republic from 75 BC with an obverse featuring “Cupid with quiver and bow over shoulder”.

ROME. 75 B.C. AR Denarius. MAXSVMVS - Bust of Cupid right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; before, countermark. Border of dots
ROME. 75 B.C. AR Denarius. C EGNATIVS·CN·F CN·N III - Distyle temple; within, statues of Libertas and Jupiter (Jupiter holds staff in right hand); above Jupiter on left, thunderbolt; above Libertas on right, pileus ; on left, control mark. Border of dots.
ROME. 75 B.C. AR Denarius. MAXSVMVS – Bust of Cupid right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; before, countermark. Border of dots // C·EGNATIVS·CN·F CN·N III – Distyle temple; within, statues of Libertas and Jupiter (Jupiter holds staff in right hand); above Jupiter on left, thunderbolt; above Libertas on right, pileus ; on left, control mark. Border of dots. ANS 1944.100.1970

In Greek mythology, Cupid is known as Eros and is amongst the first gods. Hesiod records the following:

The First Gods

In the beginning there was only Chaos, the Abyss,

But then Gaia, the Earth came into being,

Her broad bosom the ever-firm foundation of all,

And Tartaros, dim in the underground depths

And Eros, loveliest of all the Immortals, who

Makes their bodies (and men’s bodies) go limp,

Mastering their minds and subduing their wills.

Hesiod, Theogony, 116-122

Of course, in contemporary culture, Eros, or Cupid, has become associated with Romantic love, and thus, the modern contrivance of Valentine’s Day.

Image of modern cupid with bow and arrow