Coin Exhibit

Introduction

This exhibit investigates the Julio-Claudian Emperors’ use of ancestry as a theme on their Imperial coinage. In ancient Rome, coins were produced in large quantities and were highly portable so Emperors frequently used them as tools for propaganda to spread messages to many people in all corners of the Roman world. Covering approximately 90 years of Rome’s colourful history from 38 BC to 54 AD, the discussions of these coins will cover the historical context in which the coins were minted and how these Emperors conveyed their messages through symbols and imagery. You can use the list of coin types on the right to read more about the five coins in this exhibit.

Historical Context

The first Roman Emperor, Augustus, rose to power primarily through his military success, but once he had power he needed to find a way to keep it. He did this by using coins to promote his adoptive father Julius Caesar who, until his assassination in 44 BC, had been a leader that the Roman people respected and was even declared a god by the Senate after his death, making Augustus the son of a god. This divine familial connection to Julius Caesar legitimised Augustus' power because it connected him to a successful military and political leader that the Roman people respected. This was the message that Augustus intended to convey through his coinage. The Emperors that succeeded Augustus followed his example of using coins to promote their family connections to past leaders to show that they were entitled to the power they inherited.

Our Exhibit

In this exhibit we are looking at coins made by Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius that use portraits and imagery to promote the success of their father or grandfather. The coins, when examined consecutively demonstrate that the Julio-Claudian Emperors promoted their ancestry to reinforce their authority and legitimacy. By pointing backward to ancestors, these emperors deliberately conveyed that they were connected by blood to former rulers or highly-esteemed officials, and so would carry many of the same good Roman qualities forward into their reigns.

It was necessary for the Julio-Claudian Emperors to make these connections because the Empire was young and unestablished and the concept of succession threatened the republican ideals that both the public and the Senate valued. This meant that the Julio-Claudian Emperors needed to show that even though they inherited their power, they were entitled to it and would uphold republican ideals and continue Augustus’ legacy.