The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch F Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

This ancient bronze and about a dozen others – mostly in museums - comprise the only issue bearing the lone bust of Julia Livilla (17/18 – 42 AD), the youngest daughter of Agrippina Sr. and Germanicus. After the sudden death of her father, Livilla grew up under the care of great-grandmother Livia and paternal grandmother Antonia Minor. When she came of age around 33 AD, Livilla married a politician named Marcus Vinicius per the wishes of her adoptive grandfather, Emperor Tiberius. Such important family connections aside, Livilla best claim to fame was as sibling to Rome’s most infamous Emperor, namely Caligula. Widely painted by history as an insane tyrant, Caligula’s behavior can be alternately viewed through the lens of his obsession with Egypt and the Ptolemaic dynasty. Among customs related thereto was state-worship of royal family members; oftentimes, the ruling King and Queen were siblings. Certainly, Caligula famously bestowed many honors to his deceased and living relatives, including his sisters Julia Livilla, Julia Drusilla, and Agrippina the Younger. Fortunately for numismatists, Caligula promoted his sistren on Rome’s coinage. In Julia Livilla’s case, issues are very few in number, and all are quite scarce. This particular issue traces back to 37-39 AD and the provincial mint of Mytilene, located on the island of Lesbos, Livilla’s birthplace. The design is notable in that Livilla’s portrait takes front billing, whereas the Emperor is relegated to the verso. Therein, Caligula’s togate form appears capite velato, or with a covered head, and he holds a patera, a broad shallow dish used for pouring libations. The motif clearly emphasizes Caligula’s piety, an intriguing paring with sister Livilla’s portrait. If ancient historians (e.g., Suetonius) are to be believed, Caligula’s numerous sexual partners included his sisters, although in Julia Livilla’s case, the Emperor took greater pleasure in prostituting her to his friends. After Caligula’s favorite, Drusilla, died in 38 AD, the Emperor despaired, and Livilla and Agrippina grew desperate. Reportedly, the pair plotted – and slept – with Drusilla’s widower, to the end of ending Caligula’s reign. The plot failed, and Livilla and Agrippina were exiled. A year afterwards, the Praetorians murdered Caligula and replaced him with Claudius, who recalled his nieces back to Rome. Agrippina managed to rehabilitate herself, to the extent that the Emperor eventually chose her as his next wife. Livilla, however, did not fare as well. Disfavored by the imperial court, she was exiled once again, and, a year later on dubious charges of adultery, executed. Evidence suggests that Livlla’s memory was eventually revived. Her ashes were returned to Rome, placed within a precious vase of oriental alabaster, and inurned within the Mausoleum of Augustus. Livilla’s rehabilitator was likely Empress Agrippina, echoing the familial devotion practiced by Caligula. Additional Reading: G. Ferrero, The Women of the Caesars, Chapter V: The sisters of Caligula and the marriage of Messalina, 1911. Coin Details: LESBOS, Mytilene, Julia Livilla, AD 17/18-42, Æ (18mm, 6.23 g, 1h), Struck under Gaius (Caligula), 18 Mar 37 - 39 AD, NGC Grade: Ch F, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Draped bust left, IOYΛIAN NEAN ΓEPMANIKOY, Reverse: Caligula standing left, with toga drawn up over head (capite velato), holding patera, Γ KAICAPA CEBACTON / M-Y/T-I in two divided lines low in field, References: RPC I 2348; Vagi 576; SH74029; SNG Fitzwilliam 4387; Trillmich pl. 14, 1; Cohen I 1; BMC Troas -.

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