Gallus
On this gold coin, we see Gallus
as a mature man, beard short, crowned,
cuirassed. He is the emperor
who made peace, who gave ground
to Rome’s enemies. On the reverse side,
we see Salus, goddess of safety
and health, holding a snake tied
round her staff. It will never quite
reach the food offered in her left hand,
though it knows it can. This the snake
leaves for Gallus, for all that he planned.