The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

The Romans employed rather elaborate personal naming conventions. Dating back to the Republic, three types were employed: praenomen, nomen, and cognomen. The praenomen, or personal name, was bestowed days after birth in the dies lustricius, or lustration day. The nomen denoted a particular gens, or family. Next came the cognomen, an additional personal name. Here is where things grew complex. Cognomens related to anything from personal traits, habits, or achievements, and could be added or changed. It was not unusual to have several cognomens, and/or praenomens. For patricians and especially Augusti, additional cognomens denoted various stations or accomplishments. Distinguishing by cognomen made sense for large clans (today, large extended families with multiple, similarly-named members often resort to the equivalent of cognomens). Take Publius Cornelius Tacitus, for example, an important Roman lawyer, senator, and historian of first century AD. Born of the Cornelius clan, he was given the praenomen Publius (at least that is how his works are attributed). Although a persuasive orator, he earned the cognomen Tacitus. Maybe the cognomen was made in jest; more likely, it referred to the famous brevity and compactness of his Latin prose. Tacitus the important Roman historian should not be confused with Marcus Claudius Tacitus (c. 200 – 276 AD), also known as Imperator Caesar Marcus Claudius Tacitus Pius Felix Invictus Augustus. The later circulated copies of the historian Gaius Cornelius Tacitus' works, barely read at the time. This probably accounts for why many of these writing survive today (alas, there are still many lacunae, or gaps). In 275 AD, Marcus Claudius Tacitus was over seventy years old. Having served a distinguished career, Tacitus looked forward to spending the rest of years comfortably retired. However, things changed after news arrived that Augustus Aurelian had been assassinated. Surprisingly, the troops on the scene had not immediately named his replacement. After a period of weeks to months (during which the widowed Augusta Ulpia Severina kept the Empire running), a decision was reached. Tacitus was summoned to Rome for Senate confirmation; apparently, his retirement was now officially cancelled. Accounts regarding the details vary; regardless, both the military and the Senate endorsed Tacitus as their new Emperor. Aurelian was a tough act to follow, having significantly improved the Empire’s outlook following decades of wars, economic woes and plague. Sensibly, Tacitus’ early imperial actions included deifying his esteemed predecessor. This act also served to improve Tacitus’ image, especially with the military. Another way Tacitus promoted his new administration was through coinage. This antoninianus provides an example. The obverse bust of Tacitus, radiate, draped and cuirassed, with a rather dour facial expression, highly resembles Aurelian’s coinage. On the verso, Victory, the Roman personified goddess of the same, presents a wreath to Tacitus, who holds a scepter, all within the legend SPES PVBLICA. Spes, the Roman goddess of Hope, often appears on coinage of Caesars (heirs), expressing good hope for their future leadership. Therefore, the legend here indicates the hope of the people in Tacitus. Interestingly, the verso depicts not Spes (who usually holds a flower), but Victory (note the wings) presenting the wreath to Tacitus. The versatile imagery simultaneously suggests successful military accomplishments, a hopeful future, and association of Tacitus with his popular predecessor. Notwithstanding Aurelian’s accomplishments, he left behind a major problem. He had recruited several barbarian tribes for a planned invasion of Persia, but died before kicking off the campaign. By the time of Tacitus’ ascension, the barbarians, bored and emboldened, took the opportunity to attack their would-be employers in Asia Minor, ravaging Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia and Cilicia. In response, Tacitus gathered an army, including his half-brother Florian as Praetorian Prefect, and marched east to personally take charge of the forces previously under Aurelian. On his arrival, Tacitus sought his predecessor’s alleged murders, and had them executed. He then proceeded to subdue the pesky barbarians, including the Goths. For his efforts, Tacitus earned yet another title to add to his name, Gothicus Maximus. Tacitus did not get much chance to celebrate. He died in Cappadocia soon thereafter, while heading back west (to deal with a different set of barbarians invading into Gaul). Tacitus died of illness, or, more likely, murder, depending on the account. In either case, Tacitus’ reign ended after only nine months. This time, the local troops did not hesitate, naming Florian as successor, leaving Tacitus as the last Roman Emperor ever selected by the Senate. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Tacitus, 275-276 AD, Silvered Antoninianus (22 mm, 4.71 g), Struck in Cyzicus 276 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, Reverse: Victory standing right, presenting wreath to Tacitus standing left and holding a scepter, SPES PVBLICA, S in exergue, References: RIC V 167 (or 207/208?).

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in