Scourging........whip

[john m roberts]

I've never seen this denarius before. Is it known where Deidius issued it? Both figures carry Gallic shields. The one on the left with the "scourge" is also wearing a sword, something the paegniarii are never shown as having. The figure on the right seems to show a scabbard at the waist as well, but I can't make out what he wields in his right hand. This is a very enigmatic depiction. The presence of the "scourge" does make it seem like a ceremonial or ritual combat, but is it gladiatorial, or something else? It has always been my impression that gladiatorial combats were considered inappropriate as a subject for coinage, though they show up in every other form of art.