Hiempsal II, Numidia

 

Obverse:         Veiled head of Demeter r., wreathed with corn

Reverse:         Free running horse r., Punic H below, palm tree behind  

Mint :             

Date :              c. 106-60 BC

Reference :     Mazzard-81, Muller-48

Grade :           

Weight :          6.87g

Denom :         

Metal :           

Dealer :          HJB

Acquired:        29/04/04

Comments : AE 20, Hiempsal II. was the son of Gauda, the half-brother of Jugurtha. In 88 BC, after the triumph of Sulla, when the younger Marius fled from Rome to Africa , Hiempsal received him with apparent friendliness, his real intention being to detain him as a prisoner. Marius discovered this intention in time and made good his escape with the assistance of the kings daughter. In 81 Hiempsal was driven from his throne by the Numidians themselves, or by Hiarbas, ruler of part of the kingdom, supported by Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, the leader of the Marian party in Africa . Soon afterwards Pompey was sent to Africa by Sulla to reinstate Hiempsal, whose territory was subsequently increased by the addition of some land on the coast in accordance with a treaty concluded with L. Aurelius Cotta.

The goddess Demeter (goddess of grain and fertility ) was known as Ceres in Roman mythology.