Augustus             27 B.C. - 14 A.D.

 

Originally called Octavian, his name is today known simply as Augustus which was the title given him by the Senate in the year 27 B.C. He was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar and was following an illustrious military career when Caesar was murdered. On hearing of this he set in motion a series of alliances meant to avenge his great-uncle's assassins. He recruited Lepidus and Marc Antony for the task, defeated Brutus and his co-conspirators and then carved up the Roman world among the three. Lepidus was thus left in control of the African provinces, Marc Antony with Egypt and the eastern provinces and Octavian the rest including Rome itself.

The Triumvirate as it was called was unstable and they each began to plot against the other. Within a few years however Lepidus would be stripped of his powers and Marc Antony would be defeated in a major battle. Antony and his wife Cleopatra then committed suicide leaving Octavian as sole emperor. Octavian then became known and referred to by his title and went on to rule the Roman Empire for another 40 years. He did this while cooperating with the Senate and to him Romans owed much of the grandeur and influence that this empire became known for.

 

AE18 27 B.C.--14 A.D.

Macedon, Philippi

Obv. VIC-AVG: Victory standing left on base, holding wreath and palm, VIC on left, AVG on right

Rev. COHOR (PRAE) PHIL: Three standards

(GIC) Sear 32

AE As 27 B.C.--a4 A.D.

25 mm. ca. 23--22 B.C.

Obv. CAESAR AVGV TRIBVN POTEST: Bare head right

Rev. P. CARISIVS/LEG/AVGVSTI: Legend in three lines across field

RIC 20v., Van Meter 118v.

AR Denarius ca. 2 B.C.

Rome

18 mm.

Obv. CAESAR AVGVSTV S DIVI F. PATER PATRIAE: Laureate head right (ca. 2 B.C.-- 14 A.D.)

Rev. C. L. CAESARES AVGVSTI F. COS DESIG. PRINC. IVVENT: Caius and Lucius Caesars standing, each holding shield and spear, lituus and simplum above

C. 43, Van Meter 51

AR Denarius ca. 27 B.C.

Rome

18 mm.

Obv. NO LEGEND: Draped bust of Pax, cornucopia in left field, branch in right field. banker's mark

Rev. CAESAR DIVI F: Octavian in armor walking right, raising right hand and holding spear over left shoulder

RIC 3, C. 72, Van Meter 17

AE As ca. 15--10 B.C.

Rome

25 mm.

Obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS TRIBVNIC POTEST: Bare head of Augustus right

Rev. VIR AAAFF M SALVIVS OTHO S C: No image

Van Meter 99

AE As ca. 14 A.D.

25 mm.

Obv. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER: Readiate head left

Rev. PROVIDENT S C: Altar, legend below

C. 228. Van Meter 157

AE As 23--22 B.C.

Under the moneyer P. Carisius,

Legate pro praetore of Lusitania (25--23 B.C.)

26 mm.

Obv. CAESAR AVGV TRIBVN POTEST: Bare head right

Rev. P. CARISIVS/LEG/AVGVSTI: (Refers to the lifetime award of the Tribunician Powers to Augustus)

C. 393v., RIC 20v., Van Meter 118v.