Lucius Marcius Philippus AR Denarius - Stepfather Of Augustus

Roman Republic
Lucius Marcius Philippus, moneyer 56 BC
AR Denarius
Obv: Head of Ancus Marcius, 4th King of Rome, ANCVS below, lituus behind
Rev: "Equestrian Statue" galloping down aqueduct, Plant/flower below, PHILIPPVS behind, AQVA MAR within arches (MAR ligate)
Crawford 425



Lucius Marcius Philippus enters history in the middle of his life. He served as Praetor in 60 BC, and Propraetor of Syria in 59 BC. Hailing from Gens Marcia, he claimed direct descent from Ancus Marcius, the quasi-legendary fourth king of Rome, and was also descended from Quintus Marcius Rex, who oversaw construction of the Aqua Marcia--one of Rome's longest aqueducts--in 144-40 BC, using plunder from the Third Punic War.

In 59 BC, Philippus married Atia Caesonia, mother of Octavian and neice of Julius Caesar. He famously remained neutral during Caesar's civil war, and during the following war of the Second Triumvirate. He fades from history, although it is mentioned that he lived to an advanced age and maintained good relations with his stepson.

Interesting side note - Suetonius mentions in his biography of Augustus that the Emperor had a penchant for giving coins as gifts, "coins of every device, including old pieces of the kings and foreign money". It is interesting to note that while the Roman Kingdom clearly did not issue coins (having collapsed before the Roman economy was monetized), Suetonius is probably making reference to coins such as these.