Titus               79 - 81 A.D.

 

Titus succeeded Vespasian, his father, when he died. Unlike Vespasian, however, the reign of Titus was short-lived and tragic. He had to deal with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that obliterated Pompey by coordinating relief efforts in the area as well as related rebuilding projects. From this catastrophe he went to play the same role following a major fire that broke out in Rome only to have an outbreak of plague decimate the population shortly after that. In the face of these disasters all he could do would be to throw city-wide parties in hopes of restoring some morale. All for naught for he was to die shortly afterwards himself of obscure causes (some historical references point to a plot by Domitian but the sources aren't highly reliable).

 

AR Denarius 79--81 A.D.

Rome 79 A.D.

18 mm.

Obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM: Laureate head right

Rev. TR P VIIII IMP XIII COS VII: Quadriga left, bearing ears of grain

C. 268, Van Meter 29/5

AE As 69--81 A.D.

26 mm.

Obv. IMP T CAES VESP AVG PM TR P COS VIII: Laureate head left

Rev. GENI P R S C: Genius of the Romans standing left,holding cornucopiae and sacrificing over an altar at his feet

C. 96, RIC 126, Sear 2548, Van Meter 52

AR Denarius 69--79 A.D.

17 mm.

Obv. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS: Laureate head right

Rev. IOVIS CVSTOS: Jupiter standing,holding a scepter and pouring out of a patera over a low altar

C. 106, Van Meter 19

AR Denarius 69--81 A.D.

Rome

18 mm.

Obv. T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT: Laureate head right

Rev. NEP RED: Neptune standing left, foot on globe (refers to the return of Titus to Rome in June of 71 A.D.)

C. 121, Van Meter 20