The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In 161 AD, Augustus Marcus Aurelius and Augusta Faustina the Younger celebrated the birth of imperial twin sons: Marcus Annius Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus (161-192 AD). Like his adoptive father, Antionius Pius, had done for him and Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius saw to it that two his sons were groomed for the throne. Both were elevated to co-Caesar at age five. A few years later, Verus died of natural causes; Commodus then became sole Caesar, and, in 177 AD when he came of age, co-Augustus alongside his father. When Marcus Aurelius died in 180 AD, Commodus was elevated to sole Augustus. For the first time in nearly a century, the leader of the Roman Empire was chosen by birthright, rather than by merit. Not surprisingly, the choice turned out non-optimal. The handsome Commodus was vain to the point of extreme megalomania, his blonde hair inspiring an unflattering, and rather prophetic, parallel with Nero. Commodus proved cruel and tyrannical, more interested in his own pleasures and athletic prowess than the welfare of the Empire’s subjects. Early in his tenure, Commodus arranged for peace with the barbarian tribes that his father fought so valiantly against for over a decade. While providing Rome stability, this development was met with understandably mixed enthusiasm. Returning to Rome in 182 AD, Commodus uncovered a plot against him, involving his sister Lucilla, several other relatives, and perhaps praetorian prefects. The plotters were thwarted and killed. This denarius was struck in Rome shortly thereafter, in 183 AD. In the obverse depiction Commodus resembles his father, and the legend, M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS, promotes his expanded moniker which by now included the addition of his father’s name. The verso portrays the classic scene of standing Roma, the female embodiment of the same, holding Victory and a spear. Clearly, the imagery intends to associate Commodus with military victory, once again, related to past campaigns with his father. However, Commodus was nothing like his father with regards to taking serious his responsibility for the purple: herein, Marcus Aurelius’ training had failed. In fact, Commodus left others to attend to the Empire’s routine governance. Most infamous was was Marcus Aurelius Cleander, former Phrygian slave turned henchman. Nicknamed Pugione (the Dagger) by his boss, he ruled the Empire in the Augustus’ stead. Pugione sold off important administrative positions to the highest bidders, one of many indications of the corrupt regime. Commodus, free to explore his own interests, surrounded himself with a large harem of attractive young men and women, indulging in decadent luxuries and bisexual escapades. In addition, he took a keen interest in athletic games, particularly gladiatorial ones, and hired the famous wrester, Narcissus, as a personal trainer. Commodus soon realized his ambitions in Rome’s prime venues, where he charged a purse of one million sesterces per fight. These public bouts inevitably resulted in Commodus’ victory, although, presumably, his opponents were instructed that it was unwise to struggle. With all the practice, Commodus honed his combat skills, and his left-handedness provided an advantage. Of course, most Roman citizens found Commodus's naked gladiatorial combats disgraceful and ludicrous, if not wildly entertaining. Over time, Commodus’ public antics grew more and more extreme. He modeled himself after Hercules, complete with lion skin costume and club. Seriously wounded or dying soldiers and other citizens were paraded before him, and the Augustus clubbed them out of the miseries, pretending they were enemy giants. Commodus had exotic animals brought before him, and duly executed them before captive, horrified audiences. The hundreds of hapless animals ranged from lions and bears to elephants and giraffes. Commodus’ exploits and megalomania grew out of control, threatening the Empire’s stability. After a fire destroyed parts of Rome, Commodus used the reconstruction as an excuse to endorse himself by renaming the city to Colonia Commodiana. He didn’t stop there, renaming the Roman army as the Commodianae, the Roman populace as the Commodianus, and the Senate as the Commodian Fortunate. He increased his own name to a string of twelve, conveniently allowing for the renaming of every month in his honor. Naturally, the day on which all of these reforms were decreed was to be called Dies Commodianus, and the festivities were to begin on Lucius (formerly January) 1, 193 AD. However, on the night before the gala, conspirators against Commodus finally succeed. Narcissus, recruited as a back up for a failed poison attempt, strangled the Augustus in bed. Without a crowd to cheer – or jeer – him, Commodus lost his final bout, ending his reign and undefeated record in combat. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Commodus, 177-192 AD, AR Denarius (17 mm, 2,91 g, 6h), Rome mint, struck 183 AD, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, M COMMODVS AN-TON AVG PIVS, Reverse: Roma standing left, holding Victory and spear, TR P VIII IMP VI COS IIII P P, References: RIC III 58; MIR 18, 575-4/30; RSC 885.

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