Celtic Gaul VOLCAE TECTOSAGES Toulouse area 2nd-1st Century BC AR (Silver) Drachm 2.70 g. 12mm (about 1/2 in.) Celticized "Cubist head" Male Head. Reverse: Cross consists of four quadrants each adorned with a crescent, ball, sling, ax, ellipse. Ref. BMC Celtic 60. Castelin 71. Near VF typical off-center strike. Right Click image select "View/Open..." to enlarge Ancient Greek Coinage ~ Celtic Gaul (Present day France) Celtic Gaul VOLCAE TECTOSAGES ~ GESAT Toulouse area of Modern France 200-118 BC Silver Pentobol 2.62 g. 13mm (about 1/2 in.) cf. U.S. dime which is 17.9mm. Celticized "Cubist head" Male Head. Reverse: Cross consists of four quadrants each adorned with a crescent, ball, sling, ax, ellipse. Ref. BMC Celtic 60; Castelin 71; Saves Group I, Series I, 1-9; Depeyrot, NC II, 73; CCCBM II 55-60. Very Fine. obverse struck with a die showing wear, typical off-center strike. The Volques Tectosages (the people seeking a roof) were one of three main components of the Galatians that ravaged Greece Asia Minor between 281 277 BC. The legend says that Volques Tectosages who migrated to Languedoc participated in the sacking of Delphi acquired the treasure of the temple of Apollo at Delphi (the origin of the gold Tectosages "aurum Tolosanum") had it transported to Tolosas (Vieille-Toulouse), their capital. The Roman General the proconsul of Cisalpine Gaul, Quintus Servilius Caepio crushed the Volques in 105 BC and seized the "gold of Toulouse" the spoils from the looting of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Quintus Servilius Caepio, reported the discovery of the gold at Tolosa to the Senate, and was charged with sending the treasure back to Rome. Over 50,000 15 lb. bars of gold and 10,000 15 lb. bars of silver were found. The gold disappeared en route, with Strabo mentioning that "it was on account of laying hands on them that Caepio ended his life in misfortunes...It was reported that the gold was stolen by a band of marauders, with many contemporaries and modern historians believing that Caepio himself had hired them. Indeed, Caepio did go on to lose the Battle of Arausio by his hubris, and was prosecuted for corruption by the Senate. He spent the rest of his days in exile at Smyrna, tried for the loss of his army by Gaius Norbanus. The curse was reported to have continued with his son, Quintus Servilius Caepio the Younger, who fought for Rome in the Social War. He barely escaped an accusation of maiestas ('diminution of the majesty of the people of Rome') after disputing with the tribune Marcus Livius Drusus who was also his brother-in-law, and princeps senatus Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. Caepio perished in an ambush executed by the general Quintus Poppaedius Silo. The gold of Tolosa itself was never found, and was said to have been passed all the way down to the last heir of the Caepiones, Brutus--After his adoption by an uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio, he was commonly called Quintus Caepio Brutus. This is the Brutus that was one of the primary assassins of Julius Caesar~and a leader of the conspiracy. The Volques Tectosages participated in the expeditions that led Danubian Celts to the shores of the Aegean, the Bosphorus the Black Sea. As mercenaries, they served the Carthaginians during the Punic wars perhaps, the cause of the revolt of the mercenaries which almost won them the Phoenician colony. From the Danube, they passed into Cisalpine Gaul (Italy) where they engaged as mercenaries are better known under the name Gesat before moving into Gaul settling in the Southwest, in Aquitaine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions. Images are not actual size Please see description for actual measurements.