Art Institute of Chicago

Denarius (Coin) Portraying Octavian

Roman; minted in Pergamum or Ephesus (in present-day Turkey)

Date

28 BCE, issued by Octavian

Medium

Silver

Culture

Roman Empire

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Portraits of important people appear on local currency all around the world. The same was true in ancient Rome, which began producing its first coinage in the late 4th century BC. Early coins depicted the heads of gods and goddesses on the front side, often in profile, while the back depicted animals, natural resources, symbols, and references to historical events. It was not until 44 BC that the portrait of a living person—Julius Caesar—appeared on coins. While the front side depicted the sovereign’s portrait, the back was often used to communicate the ruler’s accomplishments or aspirations. On this coin, Octavian celebrates his triumph over the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC; a defeat so thorough that both committed suicide rather than be humiliated as prisoners of Rome. With the inscription on this coin, Octavian announced boldly “Egypt [is] captured.”

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