Giulio Cesare al varco del Rubicone

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Salve.

Navigando in rete ho trovato questa medaglia dell’asta Harlan J. Berk 209 che raffigura Giulio Cesare al passaggio del Rubicone, un evento storico della Repubblica romana avvenuto il 10 gennaio del 49 a. C.

World
Switzerland, History of Roman Republic, 1743, Medal, UNC; Switzerland, History of Roman Republic, 1743 Medal, UNC, Caesar crosses the Rubicon. AR705. Copper, Eisler II 214/48b Caesar crossing the Rubicon/Scene of the war that follows

Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon River was an event in January 49 BC that precipitated the Roman Civil War, which ultimately led to Caesar becoming dictator and the rise of the imperial era of Rome. Caesar had been appointed to a governorship over a region that ranged from southern Gaul to Illyricum (but not Italy). As his term of governorship ended, the Roman Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome. He was explicitly ordered not to bring his army across the Rubicon River, which was at that time a northern boundary of Italy. In January of 49 BC, Caesar brought the 13th legion across the river, which the Roman government considered insurrection, treason, and a declaration of war on the Roman Senate. According to some authors, he is said to have uttered the phrase "alea iacta est" or "the die is cast" as his army marched through the river. Today, the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" is a metaphor that means to pass a point of no return.

 

Giulio Cesare, nel varcare il Rubicone, pronunciò la famosa frase “Il dado è tratto!” perché, mentre ritornava in Italia dopo la conquista delle Gallie, Pompeo tramava a Roma per esautorarlo. Cesare dapprima si fermò sulle rive del Rubicone, fiume che, per decreto del Senato, nessun comandante poteva varcare in armi, sotto pena di venir combattuto come nemico della Repubblica. Ma poi, avendo intuito le intenzioni del rivale, decise di marciare ugualmente su Roma e la sua frase si riferiva alla situazione di chi, gettando i dadi, è pronto a vincere o a perdere.

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