Roman Provincial — AE22 (Provincial Bronze)
Augustus & Divus Julius Caesar Bronze
27 BC – AD 14
The Story
Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC. His grand-nephew Octavian, just 18 years old, was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir. Octavian initially allied with Mark Antony and Lepidus, forming the Second Triumvirate to defeat Caesar's assassins at Philippi in 42 BC. But the alliance fractured, and Octavian eventually defeated Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 BC, becoming sole ruler of the Roman world. In 27 BC, the Senate granted him the title 'Augustus' — the revered one. The deification of Julius Caesar in 42 BC was a masterstroke of political propaganda: as Caesar became 'Divus Julius' (Divine Julius), Augustus could claim the title 'Divi Filius' (Son of the Divine).
Historical Context
Establishment of the Roman Empire under Augustus
- •27 BC — Octavian receives title 'Augustus' from Senate, beginning of the Empire
- •Construction of the Forum of Augustus in Rome
- •Pax Romana beginning — peace throughout the Mediterranean
- •Virgil writing the Aeneid, Rome's national epic
This coin is pure political propaganda — linking the living emperor to his divine predecessor to legitimize the new imperial system.
Symbolism
Obverse
Julius Caesar portrait
The deified dictator, assassinated 44 BC
Caesar was officially declared a god (Divus Julius) in 42 BC, making this one of history's first portraits labeled 'God'
ΘΕΟΣ (Theos)
Greek for 'God'
This inscription proclaimed Caesar's divine status to Greek-speaking provincials
Reverse
Augustus portrait
The living emperor, adopted son of the divine Caesar
By placing himself opposite his deified father, Augustus reinforced his legitimacy as 'Divi Filius' (Son of the Divine)
Design
Obverse
Bare head of the deified Julius Caesar facing right
ΘΕΟΣ (Theos = God)
Reverse
Head of Augustus facing right
What Could This Buy?
This bronze provincial coin was used for everyday local transactions in Macedonia — small purchases like vegetables at market, a cup of wine, or ferry passage.
Worth Knowing
- ◈This is one of history's first coins to call someone 'God' (ΘΕΟΣ)
- ◈Caesar's assassins Brutus and Cassius were defeated at Philippi, just 100km from where this coin was minted
- ◈Augustus lived to age 75, ruling for over 40 years and transforming Rome forever
Origin
Mint: Thessalonica
Role: Capital of the Roman province of Macedonia
Major port city on the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road connecting the Adriatic to Byzantium. One of the most important cities of the eastern Mediterranean, it had supported the Caesarian cause in the civil wars and was rewarded with special privileges.
Office: Local civic magistrates