Pirates of the Mediterranean
Represented in both RRC 511/3a and RRC 511/4a are depictions of an aphlaston, the curved end of the stern of a war galley. The aphlaston of a ship was integral to the means of communication of the captains amongst a fleet. Thus, capturing an enemy’s aphlaston was the ultimate spoil of war; not only did it imply the structural decimation of the opponent’s ship, but also conveyed the psychological impact of tearing away the means of communication between the enemy’s fleet, emphasising the symbolic isolation of the defeated party. The use of aphlasta to visually indicate naval victory was well established by Sextus Pompeius’ time, with coins being minted which featured a seated Poseidon holding and aphlaston denoting victory as early as 300 BC in Greece (1966.75.60; 1977.158.190). Similarly, aphlasta have appeared even earlier as a narrative representation of victory, mentioned in both the Iliad and Herodotus. [1] The Iconography Sextus was using was well established, and there would have been no confusion as to the message he was attempting to convey through his coinage. [2]
RRC 511/3a features Neptune on the reverse holding an aphlaston in his hand while his foot rests on the prow of a ship. RRC 511/4a has on its reverse the monstrous figure of Scylla, wielding what is generally recognised as an aphlaston. The two appearances of aphlasta are representative of two separate ideas of naval supremacy: symbolic supremacy, shown in RRC 511/3a, and a reference to literal victory, conveyed in RRC 511/4a.
Neptune holding an aphlaston with his foot resting on top of the prow of a ship does not actively reference a specific naval victory of Sextus Pompeius’; rather, it is used to symbolise Sextus’ control and domination of the Mediterranean. In 42 BC, Sextus had gained control of the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, and had around 500 ships in his fleet. Although Octavian had a far greater number of land forces, with over 40 legions under his control, he lacked any ships, and did not have the capabilities to build a fleet quickly. This posed a severe threat to Rome, one which Sextus took advantage of. Between 42 and 39 BC, Sextus launched numerous attacks against villages along the Italian coast, pillaging and raiding and causing general havoc. More seriously, however, was the blockade Sextus’ fleet created which prevented supply ships from entering into Rome. This continued to the point of near famine in Rome. By 39 BC, public tensions demanded Octavian reach a resolution with Sextus, leading to the short-lived Treaty of Misenum. Sextus would keep control of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, as well as receive a future consulship and appointment to the College of Augurs, in return for ending his attacks on the coast of Italy and stopping the blockade of supply ships into Rome. [3]
Pompeius yielded and set sail for Aerania with a large number of his best ships, having embarked himself on a magnificent one with six banks of oars.
App. B Civ. 5.71
A hexareme, a war ship with six tiers of oars, was the ultimate flagship of any fleet during this time, and Sextus very clearly understood the implications of arriving to the peace treaty in such an impressive vessel; Sextus had effectively brought Octavian to his knees through the use of his fleet. Sextus knew the power he held over Octavian through his naval superiority, and visually conveyed it on his coinage through the figure of Neptune, and the symbol of the aphlaston.