Roman Republic L. Hostilius Saserna Silver Denarius 48BC Gallic Warrior/Biga Vercingetorix

Roman Republic, L. Hostilius Saserna Silver Denarius 48BC

Head of Gallic Warrior chain around neck and shield behind. Probably VERCINGETORIX/Naked warrior in biga driven by charioteer.

RCV 418, 19mm, 3.22g

Head of captive Gallic warrior, probably chieftan Vercingetorix, shield behind/ Naked Gallic warrior in biga.

This coin comes with a previous handwritten label.

Provenance will be provided.

Vercingetorix was a king and chieftain of the Arverni tribe (modern day Auvergne in France), where he is still considered a folk hero. He united the Gauls in a revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars. Vercingetorix was the son of Celtillus the Arvernian, leader of the Gallic tribes. He came to power after his formal designation as chieftain of the powerful Arverni at the oppidum (fortified settlement) of Gergovia in 52 BC. He immediately established an alliance with other Gallic tribes, took command and combined all forces, leading them in the Celts” most significant revolt against Roman power. He won the Battle of Gergovia against Julius Caesar in which several thousand Romans and allies died and Caesar’s Roman legions were forced to withdraw.

However, Vorcingetorix was too late to unite the Gaulish tribes and at the Battle of Alesia, the Romans besieged and defeated his forces. In order to save as many of his men as possible, he apparently gave himself up to the Romans and was held prisoner for five years. In 46 BC, as part of Caesar’s triumphal celebrations, Vercingetorix was paraded through the streets of Rome and then executed. Vercingetorix is primarily known to history through Caesar’s ‘Commentaries on the Gallic War’.