brm_073181 - CORNELIA Denier

CORNELIA

(88 BC)

The gens Cornelia is a very large patrician family of Rome, many of whose members have reached the highest offices. Cnæus Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus is quaestor in Spain between 76 and 72 BC in order to fight Sertorius. He served with Pompey in 67 in the war against the pirates. Praetor in 59, he then administered Syria as legate propraetor for two years until 57 BC, then was replaced by Aulus Gabinius. This then begins the minting of the tetradrachms in the name of Philippe Philadelphe. During his mandate, he has to fight against Arab incursions. He assumed the consulship in 56 BC with Lucius Marcius Philippus. He recalls Cicero from exile and tries to counter Pompey.