Octavian Augustus, Silver Quinarius
Dublin Core
Title
Subject
OBVERSE: Head of Octavian Augustus, in profile to the right. The inscription would read, if all were visible, CAESAR IMP VII (Caesar, imperator for the 7th time).
REVERSE: [Asia] RECEPTA (Asia recaptured) reads left and right of winged Victory who holds a wreath and a palm branch over a cista mystica between two snakes.
Description
Augustus was the first real Roman emperor (27 BCE – 14 CE), following in the footsteps of his adopted uncle, Julius Caesar. During a tumultuous civil war for control of the empire, Augustus defeated his enemies, including Pompey and Marc Antony, and paved the way for hundreds of years of Roman supremacy in the Hellenistic world - all while permanently replacing the Roman Republic with the Roman Empire. He was both a successful military commander and skilled leader; his time as emperor was known as the “era of Augustan peace.” A savvy propagandist, he used his power and influence to secure continued support from people at home and abroad. He was so well-liked, in fact, that many places began worshipping his Genius (literally, his spirit).
This coin was part of a series of coins that celebrated Augustus' military victories abroad. Among the minted coins, one will find phrases like Aegyptus capta (Egypt captured), Armenia capta (Armenia captured), Asia recepta (Asia returned) and signa recepta (military standard reclaimed)--all telling of what place was captured or returned to the Roman Empire.
Imperator was an honorary military title that was taken by an emperor when he achieved a significant military victory.
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Date
Rights
Format
0.055 oz