Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Lucius Hostilius Saserna

This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Hostilius Saserna in 48 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt who became identified with the Roman Diana, holds a spear in one hand and places her other on the head of a stag. The legends 'L.HOSTILIVS' on the left and 'SASERNA' on the right refer to the moneyer.

Artemis was the chief goddess of Massalia, a Greek colony in southern Gaul. In the Civil War, Massalia declared for Pompey and Caesar besieged the city. When it submitted in 49 BC, Caesar allowed it to remain free, but took most of its lands.

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