442 Gary D. Farney
in many legends. These heroes were wanderers, often located in the west, and one can
suspect the Greeks for being involved in their creation, though we should not discount
the role of the Latins themselves. After all, official Roman moneyers of Latin origin often
advertise their hometowns via their mythical, Greek origins (Farney 2007: 49–65).
Alba Longa, the extinct, supposed metropolis of Latium, played a special role in Latin
and Roman identity. Legends agreed that, early on, Alba dominated and incorporated
several nearby towns, perhaps thepopuli Albensesnoted by Pliny the Elder (Naturalis
Historiae, 3.78–80; Grandazzi 1999). Religiously, Alba hosted theferiae Latinae,a
celebration honoring Jupiter Latiaris, who was sometimes identified with Latinus, epony-
mous ancestor of the Latin people. Eligible cities sent representatives to participate in the
celebration and take portions of the sacrificial meat. Out of deference to tradition and
to Alba’s formerly great position, the Roman consuls continued to celebrate the annual
feriaeon the Alban Mount into the Empire. Also, it is clear from inscriptions of Imperial
times that Alban priesthoods continued to be held by Roman citizens performing their
functions on sites linked with parts of themons Albanus(i.e., thevirgines Vestales arcis
Albanae,salii arcis Albanae,pontifices Albani,andCabenses sacerdotes: Granino Cecere
1996). It is of interest, in this regard, that Roman–Latin moneyers also very often place
images of the cults of their hometowns on the coins they mint—piety and Latinity were
closely linked in the Roman mind (see Figures 29.2 and 29.3).
Figure 29.2 Obverse of 316/1: Juno Sospita of Lanuvium. Courtesy of Rutgers University
Libraries, Special Collections, Badian Coin Collection.