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 (Antoninus Pius) had done for him and his adoptive brother (Lucius Verus), Marcus Aurelius saw to it that twin sons were groomed for the throne. Yet only one survived past childhood. But that one was sufficient. In fact, Commodus represented the first Caesar in over a century that was sired an Emperor. Thus, when Commodus survived his father in 180 AD, the Empire reverted back to succession by blood, rather than merit. Not surprisingly, the choice turned out non-optimally. 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. In addition to the purple, Commodus inherited his father’s decade long war against barbarian tribes. For an imperial debut, the teenaged Emperor engaged the barbarians, not in battle, but in negotiations. He bribed Rome’s way to peace, and then celebrated a triumph, foreshadowing more narcissism to come. The Eternal City reveled, with renewed hopes for the future. Meanwhile, Commodus’ fellow dynasts, far less impressed, schemed against him. Fortunate for the new Emperor, he learned of their plans, and thwarted them. Commodus ordered the suspected to be executed, including his sister Lucilla. Commodus’ imperial initiative also included devaluation of Roman coinage. Denarius weight and silver purity were substantially reduced over time, the largest adjustments since Nero’s reign. The current coin provides an example, struck in Rome in the year 183 AD. On the obverse, Commodus’ bust sports a heavy beard. He looks much older, wiser, and accomplished than his twenty-two years, inviting comparison to his father. On Commodus’ earlier coinage, he appears quite youthful, and without a beard. The numismatic transformation over time is fascinating, not necessarily in synch with the Emperor’s actual age. Besides the obverse bust, other elements on this coin promote Commodus’ association with his father. For example, the obverse inscription (M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS) advertises Commodus adopted Marcus’ name. In addition, the verso depicts a contrapposto Roma, the female embodiment of the same, holding Victory and a spear. These designs served as propaganda to associate Commodus with his father’s reign and military conquests. However, Commodus was nothing like his father with regards to military exploits, nor taking serious any other imperial matter. Therein, Marcus Aurelius’ training had failed. In fact, Commodus left others to attend to the Empire’s routine governance. Most infamous among Commodus' delegates was Marcus Aurelius Cleander, former Phrygian slave turned henchman. Nicknamed Pugione (the Dagger) by his boss, he essentially 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, with whom he indulged 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 the Augustus’ 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 the Emperor’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 these changes would take effect was called Dies Commodianus, and the inaugural celebration was planned for Lucius (formerly January) 1, 193 AD. 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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