1078259 | ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. L. Livineius Regulus. Struck 42 BC. AR Denarius. NGC XF (Extremely Fine) Strike 4/5. Rome. 18.5mm. 3.99gm. Bare head, right / L REGVLVS. Venatio scene of a lion charging right toward a bestiarius who spears it and in the background on left, a wounded bear sits right; while another bestiarius, holding a sword and shield, defends himself against a charging tiger . Crawford 494/30; CRI 179; Sydenham 1112; Livineia 12; RBW 1735.

From the Gil Steinberg Collection and reportedly purchased from Herb Kreindler, 12 December 1980.


Please use this link to verify the NGC certification number 6955962001




The venationes of Ancient Rome, or venatio, meaning wild animal hunt or staged hunts, began as early as 252 BC as noted by Pliny the Elder who described elephants captured during the First Punic War that were put on display for Roman civilians. However, Livy suggested the venatio first took place somewhat later, in 185 BC, following the Second Punic War when General Marcus Fulvius Nobilior celebrated his victories in Greece by initiating the first stage hunt or 'athletic contest' in Rome with lions and panthers. Of the two types of man-to-animal combat held for spectacle in Rome, venatio refers to armed men fighting captured wild beasts, while condemned persons were put in an arena to fight against enraged bears or tigers.