Aureus: Gaius and Lucius as princeps iuventutis, Augustus head laureate // Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing veiled with shields and priestly symbols Flashcards
When was this coin made?
c. 2BC-AD4
Coin struck by?
Lyon mint
Legend reads?
CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE // AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT C L CAESARES
Legend translation?
Caesar Augustus, son of a God, father of the state // Augustus’ sons, consuls designate, first among the young, Gaius and Lucius Caesar
What is the significance of this coin?
Depicts Gaius and Lucius as the obvious successors to Augustus’ position
Describe Augustus on the obverse:
- Inscription reminding viewers of his most illustrious titles
- Depicted wearing a wreath
Explain the wreath on the coin:
- Reinforces his achievements
- May be the civic crown which would reinforce his identity of being saviour of the Roman people
Describe the reverse:
- Princes shown with spears and shields
- Simpulum and Lituus pictured above
Explain the shields and spears:
- Could be a reference to their military right
- Or, could represent the honorary shields and spears that they were given by Roman nobles
Explain the sacrificial implements:
Simpulum- a ritual lade used for pouring libations
Lituus- crooked wand used in religious rituals by augurs
- Refers to top priestly colleges that the princes belonged to
- Conveyed their piety as being like Augustus’
Describe the legend on the reverse:
- Lists the prince’s achievements also, however, due to their age there were very little
- They had held no political office, but the Senate had made them consuls designate for future years
Explain the significance of the reverse’s legend:
- Their most important titles were ‘Augustus’ sons’ as this was the source of their legitimacy
- Princeps Iuventutis was an honorific title awarded to Gaius by the Senate, which gave no official power but which equated him with Augustus, who was often referred to as princeps
