A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

6. C.MarciusCensorinus, L. F. L. N., son of No. 5, was consul in B. C. 8 (D. C. 55.5; Plin. Nat. 33.10. s. 47; Censorin. 22; Sueton. Vit. Horat.; Lapis Ancyranus), and seems to have obtained subsequently the government of Syria, from the way in which he is mentioned by Josephus (J. AJ 16.6.2) in the decree of Augustus

securing certain immunities to the Jews. He died in Asia in A. D. 2, when he was in attendance upon C. Caesar, the grandson of Augustus. His death was universally regretted: Velleius Paterculus calls him (2.102) " Vir demerendis hominibus genitus."

There are several interesting coins of the Marcia gens, bearing upon them the names of C. Censorinus and L. Censorinus; but it is impossible to determine to which of the preceding Censorini they belong. Five specimens of these coins are given below. The first three contain on the obverse the heads of Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius, the second and fourth kings of Rome, because the Marcia gens claimed to be descended from Ancus Marcius [MARCIA GENS], and the latter was supposed to be the grandson of Numa Pompilius. In these three coins Numa is represented with a beard, and Ancus without, probably to mark the relation between them of grandfather and grandson. The obverse of the first contains the inscription NUMAE. POMPILI. ANCI. MARCI., and that of the second NVMA. POMPILI. ANCVS. MIARCI. The reverse of the first represents two arches, in one of which Victory stands on a pillar, and in the other is the prow of a vessel, with the moon above. The reverse of the second contains two prows also with a figure of Victory; and both coins seem to have reference to the harbour of Ostia, which was built by Ancus Marcius. The reverse of the third coin represents a desultor riding with two horses, as he was accustomed to leap from one to another in the public games, while they were at full gallop. (Dict. of Ant. s. v. Desultor.) The fourth and fifth coins are of less importance: the fourth has on the obverse a youthful head, and on the reverse a horse at full gallop; the fifth has on the obverse the head of Apollo, and on the reverse, Silenus. (Eckhel, v. p. 245, &c.)