Julius Caesar Aureus
43BC
Text: C CAESAR COST PONT AUG // C CAESAR DICT PERP PONT MAX
Translation: Gaius Caesar (Octavian), consul, priest of the augurs// Gaius
Caesar (Julius) dictator in perpetuity, pontifex maximus
Significance: one of Octavian’s earliest attempts at crafting his public
image, by linking himself with Julius Caesar
Notes:
- Facing in same direction, similar stance
- Aimed for upper class
- Early in his career establish himself
- JC- Dictator in perpetuo, pontifex
maximus (unelected, unconstitutional)
- O- consult, priest of the Augurs (elected,
constitutional) not trying to seek soul
power
- Laurel wreath great military
commander
- Reminder to senators he’ll adopt his
fathers traits
Pax coin
32-29BC
Coin struck by: unknown Italian mint
Notes:
Text: CAESAR DIVI F
- Used for the plebs to pay soldiers
Translation: Caesar (Octavian), son of a god
- By including Julius Caesar, it shows
Significance: commissioned especially to pay his
Octavian has military potential
armies and to convey his promise: through war,
- Octavian’s authority shown by his face
peace.
being on a coin
- Cornucopia shows once achieved
peace, prosperity will come with it
(prosperity + abundance)
- Olive branch- symbol of peace
‘peace through war’- how he justifies
his wars
- Soldiers would have felt good when
receiving this coin as they’re being
recognised for their commitments,
known what they’re fighting for,
motivation boosts moral of army
and his propaganda
Stern face= Reminder of Julius -
serious, authority Caesar Divi filius- son
of a god
, Relevant for peace-time as
First settlement coin scroll politician focuses on how to
better people not war
Curule chair
28BC
Text: IMP CAESAR DIVI F COS VI //LEGES ET
Consul for 6th Divi filius
Imperator IVRA P R RESTITIVIT
time Translation: Imperator (commander)
constitutional Caesar, son of a god, consul for the sixth
time // He restored to/of the Roman
people their laws and rights
Significance: introduces the idea that
Octavian was a saviour of the Republic
Gaius and Lucious as princeps iuventutis
Civic crown
military Simpulum (religious
prowess piety) lituus Veiled heads 2BC-4AD
Aureus
Text: CAESAR AUGUSTUS DIVI F
PATER PATRIAE//AUGUSTI F
COS DESIG PRINC IUVENT C L
CAESARES
Translation: Caesar Augustus,
son of a god, father of the
state// Augustus’ sons, consuls
designate, first among the
young, Gauis and Lucius Caesar
Significance: depicts Gaius and
Lucius as the obvious
successors o Augustus’ position
