★ Birth Myth of Jupiter ★

M. Fonteius. 87 B.C. AR Denarius (20 mm, 3.73 g.). M· FONTEI C·F (below the chin), laureate head of Apollo Vejovis right. Rev. Eros (or infant winged Genius) seated on goat right; caps of the Dioscuri above; filleted thyrsos below; all within laurel wreath. Crawford 353/1a; Sydenham 724; RSC Fonteia 9. Very Fine. The Romans believed that the god Vejovis was one of the first gods to be born, he was the god of healing and became associated with the Greek god Asclepius. His temple in Rome was described as a safe haven for wrongly persecuted people. The reverse of this type represents the birth myth of Jupiter, who was suckled by the goat Amaltheia on Mt. Ida.