Coins In Julius Caesar Essay

Coins in Rome were often used as a tool to show the Roman people and Roman Senate that there would be heirs to take over should the emperor die. It was used as a means of displaying that there would be a peaceful succession rather than a civil war. Also, coins were used because they spread fast and went everywhere information people of news almost like a newspaper. The three coins discussed in this paper all have the theme of the informing people of the Roman Empire of the future succession of powers.
The first coin is the Aureus of Augustus. On the front of the coin is the laureate head of Augustus surrounded by inscription CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE which translates into Caesar Augustus, son of a divus, father of the fatherland. He son of divus is in reference to his relation to the Divine Julius Caesar who adopted him as his son. On the reserve of the coin, depicted is Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing left and right of two shields with the inscription, Gaius and Lucius Caesar, sons of Augustus, consuls designate, princes of youth. The inscription shows the titles that were given to Gaius and
This is because taking the name Caesar marked the heir to the throne who, if of age, would participate actively in the ritual and political and military life of the state. They also became princeps iuventutis, or 'leaders of the Youth' and heads of the equestrian order. An example of this is seen on the first coin as the inscription titles Gaius and Lucius Caesar princes of youth. The title was originally given by acclamation of the knights (equites), who formed the second of the ruling classes after the Senate. Gaius and Lucius Caesars were the first to be so named, then Nero; by the second century, the title became routine, and by the third was often retained after a Caesar became