Art Institute of Chicago

Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Augustus

Roman, minted in Lyons

Date

2 BCE-4 CE

Medium

Silver

Culture

Roman Empire

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the laureate head of Emperor Augustus facing to the right. On the back (reverse), Caius and Lucius are depicted holding spears and shields. On the wall behind them are priestly instruments: a lituus (curved augural staff) and a simpulum (ladle with long handle). On the back (reverse), Caius Caesar and Lucius Caesar (born to Marcus Agrippa and Julia the Edler) are standing, each resting a hand on a shield. Two spears, a lituus (curved augural staff) and a simpulum (ladle with long handle) are between them. The brothers were adopted by Augustus (their grandfather) as joint-heirs but died at relatively young ages (21 and 18, respectively) before they could rule. This coin commemorates their appointments as consul designatus.

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