The Lupercal on a coin of Marcus Aurelius

 

Marcus Aurelius, As, RIC 1247

At the recent Harrogate coin fair I found this “middle bronze” in a pick box. This as, dating to the last three months of Marcus Aurelius’ life, has on the reverse the wolf and twins set within a shrine.

Located at south-western corner of the Palatine was a cave that was traditionally the lair of the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. It was made into a shrine containing a statue of the wolf and twins, the Lupercal, and that is the monument depicted on this coin.

The decorated grotto under the Domus Livia

It has been claimed that a grotto, decorated with mosaics and shells, excavated under the Domus Livia, the house of Augustus, is the actual location of the Lupercal. This identification is disputed and an alternative interpretation of the find is either a triclinium or nymphaeum dating from Neronian times.