VESPASIAN
Emperor AD69-79
During the Roman invasion of AD43, Vespasian was responsible for the
campaign that brought most of southern Britain under Roman control.
In AD66 he was given command of three legions in the Jewish War. The
events of the civil war of AD69 catapulted him into the emperorship.
It proved a successful move. He had close links with the army, was an
accomplished soldier and there was a desire for a more secure succession,
with Vespasian's two sons (Titus and Domitian) to follow in line. His
reputation was as a hard but just ruler.
|
Aureus of Vespasian, AD72-3
19mm, 7.18g
|
|
Front
|
Back
|
|
IMP CAES VESP AVG PM COS IIII
Imperial title: 'Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus, Pontifex
Maximus (Chief Priest), Consul for the 4th time'
Laureate head of Vespasian, facing right
|
NEP RED
'Neptune restored'
The god Neptune stands with his right foot resting on a globe,
holding a sceptre and acrostolium (the gunwale of a ship).
|
 |
 |
|
Aureus of Vespasian, AD73
20mm, 7.14g
|
|
Front
|
Back
|
|
IMP CAES VESP AVG CEN
Imperial title 'Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus, Censor of
his people'
Laureate head of Vespasian, facing right
|
PAX AVG
'The peace of the Emperor'
Pax, goddess of peace, leans on a pillar, holding a branch and
winged staff (caduceus).
|
 |
 |
|
Aureus of Vespasian, AD74
18mm, 5.92g
|
|
Front
|
Back
|
|
IMP CAESAR VESP AVG
Imperial title 'Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus'
Laureate head of Vespasian, facing right
|
FORTVNA AVGVST
'The good fortune of the Emperor'
Fortuna, goddess of good fortune, stands beside an altar, holding
a ship's rudder and horn of plenty (cornucopia).
|
 |
 |
|
Aureus of the deified Vespasian, issued after his death, AD80-81
20mm, 7.14g
|
|
Front
|
Back
|
|
DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS
Imperial title 'The deified Vespasian Augustus'
Laureate head of Vespasian, facing right
|
EX SC
'Honoured by decree of the Senate'
Victoria, goddess of victory, places a shield on a battle trophy,
at the foot of which sits a captive.
|
 |
 |
Previous |
Next
Last modified: Monday, 12 March, 2001
|
