The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

During the early decades of the Roman Empire, the Flavius clan gained prominence, moving from equestrian to senatorial rank. Within the next generation, one of their lineage, namely Titus Flavius Vespasianus (9 – 79 AD), would even become Emperor, and establish a Flavian dynasty that ruled Rome for the next three decades. Vespasian began his career in the military, and rapidly advanced in rank. By 43 AD, he led a Roman legion engaged in Emperor Claudius’ invasion of Britannia. The campaign was successful, thanks to Vespasian’s leadership and pioneering use of artillery weaponry. After Claudius’ death and Nero’s succession, Vespasian was appointed governor of the Africa province, where he honed his administrative skills and forged valuable alliances. In Africa, Vespasian’s rule proved one of frugality, rather than funding government by exploiting locals. These policies led to a monetary shortfall, and Vespasian was forced to mortgage his estates to bridge the financial gap. Returning from Africa, Vespasian became part of Nero’s entourage. As such, the general was required to attend imperial lyre recitals. Apparently, Vespasian fell asleep during one such performance, and was banished from the Emperor’s presence. The fall from grace notwithstanding, Vespasian’s proven military prowess was too valuable to waste. Nero grew worried over the crisis brewing in Judaea, where rebels had routed the local imperial garrison. The resilient Judeans even managed to defend against the imperial reinforcements that rushed into the region from neighboring Syria. This shocking news proved an imperial embarrassment, and Nero sent in Vespasian to achieve its abolition. The celebrated general, along with his son, Titus, mobilized a massive array of soldiers and advanced weaponry into the theater. Vespasian then proceeded to pacify the rebellious region in strategic, stepwise fashion over the next three years. Finally, only when the time was deemed ripe, the imperial troops prepared to siege Jerusalem's mighty walls. Meanwhile back in Rome, Nero’s rule finally fell apart, ending with his suicide. In the civil unrest that followed, several Augusti briefly ruled Rome, last of whom was Vitellius. Riding the support of the eastern Empire, Vespasian emerged as the next candidate for Emperor. Even the heavens seemed to lend support; soothsayers foretold that from Judaea would come the new governor of the world. Of course, Vespasian thought the prophecies applied to himself. Vespasian even found confirmation. One of his prisoners, Josephus, audaciously predicted his freedom, moreover, his emancipator would become Emperor. Josephus was kept alive while this conjecture was tested. In 69 AD, it proved correct. Vespasian left Titus in charge of the Judaean theater, and turned his full attention to the battle for Rome's throne. The resulting bloody civil war - the first since the Empire's genesis - resulted in Vitellius' demise and Vespasian's ascension. The following year, news arrived that Titus had finally broke though Jerusalem’s tenacious third wall and sacked the city, looting the Jewish Temple. Eager to bolster his position, Vespasian ordered that Rome host a grandiose celebration. In the summer of 71 AD, imperial planners worked day and night to organize the citywide event. Finally, the gala day arrived, starring Vespasian with his sons Domitian and Titus, the latter triumphantly returned from Judea and attended by a new sidekick, namely Flavius Josephus (after all, the former prisoner’s prediction proved correct). Many details of this particular celebration are known, thanks to Josephus. His writings – a fascinating read – describe the purple-clad and laurel-donning Emperor captivating the crowds with his prayers, elaborate parades featuring thousands of prisoners, enormous amounts of captured treasures, and stupendous, complex floats that re-enacted tales of bloody battle. The successful event was prodigiously commemorated, for example on this denarius struck two years later and 1500 miles distant (Antioch). The main attraction is depicted on the verso, where you can almost hear the crowds’ adoration as Vespasian proudly drives by in his quadriga (four horse chariot), exactly as described by Josephus. The obverse is also worth noting. Vespasian is portrayed here with his typical, toothless smile that often resembles a pained grimace. The depiction is commensurate with his character: coarse owing his humble origins, but highly ambitious, shrewd, and hard working. Vespasian harbored a keen sense of humor, even if he was the butt of the joke, and his strange Latin pronunciation made him an easy target. In one example worth noting (apocryphal or not), Vespasian once asked a comic to joke about him, and the comic replied to his grinning/grimacing questioner that he would, once the Augustus finished relieving himself. With his military strength yet likeability, Vespasian increased his grip on power even further. He insisted his sons Titus and Domitian succeed him, ensuring his dynasty. He set about restoring civil war-torn Rome to her former glory. Vespasian rebuilt temples and theaters, and started work on a particularly ambitious building project that became the Colosseum. Supporting these initiatives required raising funds, in other words, increasing taxes, although Vespasian exempted teachers and doctors. Vespasian also expanded the tax base by increasing the Empire’s reach into territories such as Britannia. He even went so far as to collect a tax on public urinals. Vespasian ruled nearly a decade before becoming the first Roman Emperor to unequivocally die of natural causes. Even as death approached, he retained his humor: "Oh dear, I fear I am about to become a god!" Additional Reading: F Josephus, "The Wars Of The Jews," Chapter V, 3-7. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Vespasian, AD 69-79, “Judaea Capta” commemorative AR Denarius (17 mm, 3.57g, 6 h), Antioch mint, Struck AD 72-73, NGC Grade: MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M COS IIII, Reverse: Vespasian standing in chariot right, driving slow quadriga, holding scepter, branch, and reins, References: RIC II 1559; Hendin 1491 corr. (obv. Legend); RIC [1962] 364; RSC 643; BMC 512.

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