The small island of Pantelleria
lies about one hundred kilometers southwest of Sicily, off the Tunisian coast which is
visible on a clear day.
During recent excavations,
archaeologists discovered 27 silver coins that had been deliberately hidden.
They surfaced after severe rains had flooded the area. These silver denarii
were minted between 94 and 74 BC. In those days, the island belonged to the Roman Republic
and served as an important trading center in the Mediterranean.
It is noteworthy
that in the 1st century BC, the eastern Mediterranean,
in particular, was plagued by repeated attacks from pirates. They even dared
kidnap young Julius Caesar in 78 BC
and held him for ransom. The story goes on to say that Caesar felt insulted because the pirates demanded only 20 talents for
his liberation. He personally insisted they should raise the amount to 50
talents! Caesar was released after 38
days. The pirates swarmed as locusts over the towns and farms, plundering and
burning them on the go. In 42 BC, in a large-scale operation, Pompey finally managed to abolish piracy.
During these
uncertain times, people buried their valuables and money hoping to retrieve
their possessions after the pirates left. It was not to be in the present case; the treasures were recovered only two thousand years later.
A trove of over 100 coins was found during previous excavations, as well as marble busts of Caesar, Agrippina, and Emperor Titus.
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