Vitellius, Silver Denarius

Vitellius, Silver Denarius

Vitellius, Silver Denarius. Rome, AD 69.
OBVERSE: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AUG TRP (Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus, tribunician power). The laurelled head of Vitellius facing right.
REVERSE: CONCORDIA PR (Goddess of Peace, Princeps), Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia.

The year of 69 CE was a turbulent one for the Roman Empire. With Nero committing suicide in 68 CE and no successors in place, the door was open once again to civil war within Rome. First to succeed to the throne was Galba who quickly lost power to Otho. Vitellius then challenged Otho in a series of military battles and won after only three short months of Otho’s reign. Suetonius (Suet. Vitell. c 13) reports that Vitellius was notoriously gluttonous and his excess led the empire into dangerous financial straights. Vespasian, hearing of this problem, was persuaded to take up arms against Vitellius. Vitellius was captured not long after by Vespasian’s soldier and was ignominiously executed on the Gemonian stairs.

Concordia is an ironic choice for an emperor whose relatively short reign was almost constantly under attack.
Princeps is a word that can be translated to something like “first citizen.” It referred to the role the emperor took as leader of the empire and leader of the military. This title was taken by almost every emperor.

Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.033

69 CE

Hallie Ford Museum of Arts

0.734 in
0.115 oz

Latin

Coin

This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.