L. Marcius Censorinus. 82 BC. Silver Denarius. Apollo / Marsyas. 
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L. Marcius Censorinus. 82 BC. 
Silver Denarius (3.38 gm)

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right 
Rev: Marsyas walking left with wineskin over shoulder, column 
behind, L. CENSOR to left.

Marcia 24 ; Sear I #281

This type refers to the musical contest between Apollo and 
the satyr Marsyas, the follower of the goddess Cybele, and, 
according to one version, the inventor of the double-flute. 
According to another myth, Athena invented the flute and 
played on it at a banquet of the gods. Playing once by a 
stream, she saw her distorted reflection in the water, cast 
the flute aside, and cursed anyone who picked it up. Marsyas 
found the flute and quickly learned to produce lovely sounds. Soon, people were saying that his music was better 
than Apollo and his lyre. Apollo, angered, challenged 
Marsyas to a contest with the Muses as jury. The first
round resulted in a draw but then Apollo challenged Marsyas 
to play and sing at the same time while holding his 
instrument upside down. Apollo easily managed to do so with 
his lyre, but Marsyas couldn't compete with the flute. 
Apollo was declared the winner, and revenged himself on 
Marsyas by flaying him alive and nailing his skin to a pine 
tree. This mythological event took place near the river 
which now bears Marsyas' name.