The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

In 27 BC, the Roman Senate granted Imperator Caesar Divi Filius (a.k.a. Octavian) an extra title: Augustus, meaning sacred or revered. The appointment marked an official end to the Roman Republic. Like his adoptive father (Julius Caesar) before him, Augustus had no sons, requiring him to find an adoptive heir (he did raise a daughter, Livia, from a previous marriage, and inherited two stepsons, Tiberius and Drusus, his wife Livia’s children from her previous marriage). His only male blood relative, a nephew, died in 23 BC. Next under consideration was his lieutenant and lifelong friend Agrippa, who married Augustus’ daughter Julia. Agrippa died in 12 BC, but not before fathering two additional prospects, Lucius Caesar and Gaius Caesar. In 17 BC, Augustus formally adopted his two eldest grandsons. Further establishing his grandsons’ future, Augustus ordered Claudius, his remaining stepson - Drusus died in 9 BC -marry the widowed Julia in order to serve as reagent for Lucius and Gaius. The change in status meant that Claudius, who already resented being used in this fashion, was now forced to abandon his current, blissful marriage. For Lucius and Gaius, the change in their lot meant growing up with celebrity status, guidance from Rome’s finest teachers, and their likeness honored on newly produced temples, statues, and even coins. This denarius, struck around the turn of the millenum in Lyon, is one such example. The obverse features the bust of Augustus, adorned with a crown of leaves from the bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Centuries earlier, the Greeks bestowed such laureate crowns to those deserving the highest possible recognition: poets and athletes. The custom became adopted by the Romans to laud victorious military commanders, and by modern culture in idiomatic usage referring to success, literary of otherwise. The obverse inscription, CΛESΛR ΛVGVSTVS DIVI F PΛTER PΛTRIAE, advertises Augustus’ name and title, emphasizing that he is a son of a god (the deified Julius Caesar), and father to his people. Such denarii were distributed throughout the young Empire, part of Augustus’ effort to promote himself as imperial leader. Also promoted on the reverse are Caius and Lucius Caesars, each depicted standing togate, holding crossed spears and shields. Their position symbolizes that they have come of age upon their completion of military service, with promising careers ahead. Above them hover prominent pagan implements: a simpuvium (a sacrificial spoon) and a lituus (a divination wand), emphasizing Augustus’ role as high priest (pontifex maximus). The reverse inscription ΛVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT, denotes that Caius and Lucius are the sons of Caesar Augsutus, designated consuls, and Principes Iuventi (first among the youth). The Roman people adored their two young princes, and thus were saddened to hear when Lucius became sudden ill and died in 2 AD. Another year later, tragedy struck again when Gaius was wounded in military action, and died afterwards. It is theorized that one of both deaths were the machination of Livia, intent that her son Tiberius inherit the throne. Regardless, Augustus was eventually forced to accept succession by his stepson. By the end of the first decade of the new millennium, Tiberius was actively playing the role of heir, dealing with military crises on the Empire’s frontier lands. Augustus died in 14 AD, possible poisoned by his wife, Livia, and leaving his new Empire to Tiberius. Augustus’ reign over the Republic turned Empire spanned four decades, a record that would never be broken in Rome. His very name became the title for subsequent Emperors, and their Roman Empire ruled the world for centuries. As for Gaius and Lucius, their leadership accomplishments can only be imagined, and the name Caesar evolved into a title denoting an Augustus’ heir. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD, AR Denarius (19mm, 3.80 g, 1h), Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, Struck 2 BC – 4 AD, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, CΛESΛR ΛVGVSTVS [DIVI F PΛTER PΛ]TRIAE, Reverse: Caius and Lucius Caesars standing facing, two shields and two spears between them; above, on left, simpulum right, and on right, lituus left, ΛVGVSTI F COS DES[IG PRINC IVVENT], C L CΛESΛRES in exergue, References: RIC I 207; Lyon 82; RSC 43; BMCRE 519-33; BN 1651-7.

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