Art Institute of Chicago

Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Vespasian

Roman; minted in Rome

Date

75-79, issued by Vespasian

Medium

Gold

Culture

Rome

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Obverse: Head of Vespasian right, laureate Reverse: Fortuna, standing left on low garlanded altar, holding rudder in right hand and cornucopia in left In A.D. 68 the chaotic reign of the Roman emperor Nero came to an end with his forced suicide, but what followed was an equally chaotic struggle to succeed him. The support of the army was critical: the year A.D. 69 saw one general after another claim the throne only to be killed by one of his rivals. Finally, the Roman army in Egypt joined the army in Syria to back General Vespasian. Knowing that Egypt was the empire’s breadbasket, Vespasian’s first effort as emperor was to pacify and control this important province. The armor he wears on this coin emphasizes his role as a warrior king.

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