Faustus Cornelius Sulla (ca. 56 BC). AR denarius (20mm, 3.90 gm, 6h). NGC Fine 3/5 - 4/5. Rome. FAVSTVS, diademed, draped bust of Diana right; crescent above, lituus left behind / FELIX, Sulla seated left on raised seat; Bocchus (on left) kneeling right, offering olive branch; Jugurtha (on right) kneeling left, with hands bound behind back. Crawford 426/1. Sydenham 879. Cornelia 59. The career of Lucius Cornelius Sulla served as a paradigm for the Roman imperators and emperors who came after him. Born in 138 BC to a prestigious but penniless patrician family, he joined the army and served under Marius in Africa, where he gained notoriety by engineering the capture of the rebel leader Jugurtha. The scene is depicted on this coin issued by his son, Faustus Cornelius Sulla, with Jugurtha depicted with his hands bound kneeling dejectedly behind Sulla, who is seated on a raised platform; before him kneels Bocchus, king of Mauritania, who offers Sulla victory laurels. The capture of Jugurtha helped launch Sulla's political career, which saw him reach the consulship in 88 BC and a bloody but effective dictatorship 82-79 BC.

HID09801242017

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