DENARIUS OF OCTAVIUS
Original mint probably Samos 32 - 20 B.C.
Obverse: CAESAR young Augstus with victory wreath looking right
Reverse: AUGUSTUS raised bull looking to the right
- Hand stamped
- Silver colored
- Diameter 1,7cm
- Dated ca. 31v.Chr.
DENAR Augustus with bull 21 - 20 B.C.
Mint of Samos
Original material silver
The great-nephew of Julius Caesar was considered a peace emperor and renewer of Rome. At the age of 19 GAIUS OCTAVIUS (OCTAVIAN) traveled to Rome after the assassination of Caesar.
to take up his inheritance as the "adopted son" of Caesar.
But only the victory in the sea battle of Actium 31 B.C. over Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra brought him the sole rule title of Augustus, a "pen name" meaning "Venerable, Exalted One." Initially, he returned all his powers to the Senate, with the knowledge and conviction that it would do nothing more than to ask him to rule as princeps, because otherwise the Roman Empire would once again be in chaos.
He was henceforth the first man in the state and ruled with the help of various republican powers.
His power was secured by the supreme command of the military. As a rather conservative emperor, he tried to revive ancient Roman virtues and to establish a new order through marriage, luxury and other laws to reform the ailing state. He reorganized the provinces and stabilized the borders.
Nevertheless, Augustus did not succeed in subduing Germania. The legendary defeat of Varus in the Teutoburg Forest around 9 AD meant a retreat to the Rhine frontier. Augustus died in Nola on August 19, 14 AD.
He laid the foundations of Roman rule for the following centuries. Poets such as Virgil and Horace were among his supporters and celebrated the new age.
