ERRATA. In the progress of this Catalogue through the press, several of the Medals having been exchanged, a confusion has ensued in some of the references. All that have been yet found to be in error, as also such other mistakes as have been detected, are here enumerated, for correction, Descriptive Catalogue OF A CABINET OF "LARGE- BRASS" MEDALS OF IMPERIAL ROME. "The medal faithful to its charge of fame, In one short view, subjected to our eye, Gods, Emperors, Heroes, Sages, Beauties lie." JULIUS CÆSAR. CAIUS JULIUS CAESAR, the son of C. J. Cæsar and Aurelia, was born at Rome, B. C. 100; he was created triumvir with Pompey and Crassus, B. C. 60; gained the battle of Pharsalia, B. C. 48; and was assassinated in full senate, four years afterwards, at the age of 56, by Brutus,-who, mistaking effect for cause, robbed Rome of its noblest and most talented statesman. By the defenders of this atrocity, Cæsar has been pourtrayed as the betrayer of his country's liberty; nevertheless it would be somewhat difficult for them to demonstrate wherein such liberty consisted. He fell, according to some authors, by a doom which all tyrants deserve; "but," exclaim others, "what a notable judgment of God, upon the unnatural murderers of their sovereign, that not one of them either died a natural death, or survived him three years!" The act, however, may be as fairly attributed to the curious breach of etiquette, examined into by Bayle, by which the Nobles were offended, as to any other motive. This illustrious captain,-who would rather be first in a village than second in Rome,―was equally remarkable for vigour, vigilance, courage, clemency, and magnanimity. Fifty pitched battles bore evidence to his military prowess,—as a writer he is immortalized by the inimitable "Commentaries," and as an orator, his eloquence has been commemorated by the verdict that, he was only second to Tully, because he pursued other objects. A man thus endued with all the commanding and engaging qualities which give ascendancy in society, must have swayed the destinies of his cotemporaries in any age, or any nation. He proved himself at once wary and adventurous; as well prudent in planning, as skilful in executing ; while, with an unexcelled celerity in catching advantages, he was withal so resolute B under reverses, as never to lose his perfect self-possession. The daring leader crossed over to invade Britain, an island till then unknown to the Romans, though the wars in Gaul and Germany were unfinished and to ensure the passage, he personally sounded the channel. He possessed wonderful abilities, and cultivated them with laborious attention; he ordered a survey of the whole world to be taken, and to him the public was indebted for a reformed calendar. His memory was so good, according to Cicero, that he never forgot any thing but an injury. He was superior to the superstitions of augury; and, unlike a great general of our times, Cæsar individually turned the tide of battle, on several occasions, when victory was declaring against him. In a word, despite of his rapacity, prodigality, ambition, and scandalous incontinence, he may be considered the most matchless public character of all antiquity. Many comparisons have been drawn between Cæsar and his rival,—yet they must always end to the disadvantage of Pompey, because, from degenerating to a mere party-leader, he has left his character a solecism. While the latter proclaimed all those his enemies who did not espouse his cause, the former, with a more admirable foresight, declared those to be his friends who did not take up arms against him. The talents of Pompey were certainly of a high order, and his address eloquent and engaging; but he was envious of the success of his colleagues, was partial to ceremony, and "scratched his head with one finger." The most glaring spots in the later stages of his military career, were deficiency of firmness, and contempt of his enemy. He repudiated his wife Marcia on account of her intrigues with Cæsar, and then married the adulterer's daughter. Cato exclaimed against this traffick in women, as one by which the dignities of the state were prostituted ; but Cato,-yea, the incorruptible, the virtuous Cato, that magnifier of other men's failings, was himself a trafficker in divorce.t Cæsar was the first Roman whose effigies were stamped upon coins in his life-time; and, according to Dio, this compliment was amongst the profusion of honours lavished upon him, by the senate. In many of his medals there is an affectation of rendering Venus the symbol of his family, for, by the same rule which proved Æsop to be a Frenchman, the Julii boasted their descent from Iulus, the grandson of Eneas. Upon others, the elephant is assumed, as the Punic origin of the surname Cæsar; this appears a more probable derivation than that which "Beat them first, and despise them afterwards," was the precept of a naval commander, to a young officer, who was making light of an enterprise, about to be undertaken. The medals of Pompey are not of great rarity,-nor, except a gold one with a bust of Africa between the lituus and præfericulum, of high price. But the only large-brass specimen is that which bears the head of Janus bi-frons, with ears of wheat in the hair. The faces are likenesses of Pompey and his son Sextus. |