The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

When Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD, his adoptive heir Marcus Aurelius accepted being promoted under one condition: that his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus (130 -169 AD), would become co-Emperor. The two would be nominally equal, although in reality Marcus had more authority, and Verus deferred to him. Growing up, both adoptive brothers were instructed by Rome’s finest teachers, learning poetry and oratory. However, as young men, the two co-Emperors had divergent dispositions, with Marcus preferring stoic philosophy, while Lucius was more interested in debauchery. The two became Rome’s first reigning co-Emperors, and formed an imperial odd couple, at that. Early in the co-reign, it was decided that Lucius would leave Rome and travel eastward, to lead the Persian campaign, while Marcus stayed to handle the Empire’s legal and administrative affairs. This made sense since Lucius was physically stronger and more suited for military command. It is also speculated that Marcus wanted to expose Lucius to adversity in order to teach him thriftiness, and temper a growing appetite for debauchery (it was rumored Lucius was prone to drinking, playing dice, and love affairs with both genders). If the latter was indeed Marcus’ strategy, it failed: Lucius’ camp was renowned for gluttony and accompanied by an imperial theatrical entourage of musicians and actors. Lucius also took up with a concubine named Panthea from Smyrna. Although low-born, she soon became famous for her many attributes, including her beauty (after all, her name translates as “all divine”). At the time, Lucius was betrothed to Marcus’ teenage daughter, Annia Lucilla (despite the fact that he was technically her uncle). Marcus, hearing of Lucius’ exploits, hastened the wedding. After returning to the campaign, Lucius and his talented generals managed victory, razing the Persian capital of Ctesiphon in 164 AD. It is questioned whether Lucius was directly responsible for any military successes; if nothing else, he improved the troop’s morale with his theatrics (literally). Upon his return to Rome, Lucius continued his indulgent lifestyle. For instance, a tavern was established inside his villa, and was frequented by eclectic Roman citizens who drank and gambled around the clepsydra (water clock). When he tired of his own quarters, Lucius dressed as a commoner and frequented taverns and brothels. He was also fond of viewing (and wagering on) gladiator contents and chariot races. Lucius kept his own court, which was separate from Marcus’, and the two venues were predictably disparate: Marcus’ court fostered intellectuals and philosophers, whereas Lucius’ court was a haven for debauchees and drunkards. This period was the height of Lucius’ reign, during which this denarius was minted (in 164-165 AD). On the obverse the laureate bust of Verus is paired with the epithet L VERVS AVG ARMENIACUS, and on the verso, the city’s goddess, Roma, holds a trophy and Victoria, the personification of victory. The coin’s design is in commemoration of the victories over the Persians in Armenia a year earlier. Although things on the eastern border with the Persians were quiet for the moment, there was trouble brewing to the north, as Germanic tribes invaded across the river Danube. Even though plague was ravaging Rome (probably smallpox that Lucius and his entourage brought back from the east), Lucius was sent away to war again, this time with Marcus, and they gathered the troops and crossed the Alps into Pannonia. Apparently, the approaching imperial army persuaded the barbarians to (temporarily) withdraw, and the imperial forces returned to Italy for the winter. On the way back to Italy in early 169 AD, Lucius was suddenly stricken with apoplexy and, after three days unable to speak, died. Theories for his cause of death range from stroke to plague to poisoned oysters (perhaps the design of his mother-in-law, Faustina Jr., with whom he may have had relations). Regardless of the reason for Lucius’ demise, Marcus was now sole Emperor, at least until 177 AD, when he named his son Commodus as co-Emperor. Lucius was survived by his wife and a daughter, who years later made a failed attempt to eliminate Commodus and re-take the throne. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Lucius Verus, AD 161-169, AR Denarius (3.41 g, 18 mm, 12 h), NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Rome mint struck December 164 to August 165 AD, Obverse: Laureate bust of Lucius Verus, facing right, head right, L VERVS AVG ARMENIACUS, Reverse: Roma advancing left, holding Victory and trophy, TR P V IMP II COS II, References: RIC III 537 (Marcus) var. (laureate head right); MIR 18, 103-14/35; RSC 270a var. (bust draped and cuirassed).

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