Marcus Aurelius, Bronze As
Dublin Core
Title
Subject
OBVERSE: M ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS (Marcus Antoninus Augustus Armeniacus) Laureate head right.
REVERSE: TR P XX IMP III COS III S-C (tribunician power for the 10th time, imperator for the 3rd time, consul for the 3rd time, by the decree of the sentate). Roma seated left, holding Victory with a shield at her side.
Description
Marcus Aurelius took control of the Roman Empire after the death of Antoninus Pius in conjunction with his brother Lucius Verus in 161 CE. Though Lucius was never as important as Marcus Aurelius, they ruled in peace together until Lucius’ premature death in 169 CE. One of the largest events during their combined reign was the war with the Parthians. Starting in 161 CE, the war dragged on until 166 CE when the Parthians were finally subdued. Further expansion may have been planned but a plague swept across the army and the rest of Empire, putting a halt on any plans that may have existed. This coin was minted during the climax of the war, around 166 CE; Roma on the reverse represents the pride and power of the Roman people.
Marcus Aurelius is also known as one of the most important Stoic philosophers. In a set of personal writings, now entitled Meditations, written in Greek, he penned his thoughts on the nature of Stoicism and himself. It the only self-reflective memoir of a Roman emperor and offers a unique view into this time period.
Armeniacus refers to the conquest of Armenia in 163-165 CE.
Source
Date
Rights
Format
0.405 oz