Denarii

Question 1

What are the denarii studied

Answer 1

• Augustus with the comet
• Augustus with religious objects
• Octavian with Pax

Question 2

When is the Augustus with the comet denarius dated

Answer 2

19BCE

Question 3

When is the Augustus with religious objects denarius dated

Answer 3

12BCE

Question 4

When is the Octavian with Pax denarius dated

Answer 4

32BCE

Question 5

Describe the Augustus side of the Augustus with comet denarius

Answer 5

• called Caesar Augustus - Augustus is a name given by the senate meaning the enriched one (among other things)
• wears a laural wreath symbolic of victory - shows him to be a successful military leader
• depicted youthfully - perpetual youth implies divinity and stability - right to rule and a strog leader

Question 6

Descibe the comet side of the Augustus with comet denarius

Answer 6

• says ‘Divius Julius’ - the divine Julius in reference to the comet being Julius Caesar’s deification. which emphasises Augustus’ right to rule (divine ancestory) and absolves him of J.C.’s crimes as a god cannot be guilty

Question 7

What was the point of the Augustus with the comet denarius

Answer 7

• to show that J.C. is a god so cannot be guilty
• J.C. was popular among the soldiers and plebians so by emphasising Augustus’ connection with his father he wins them over.

Question 8

What are the themes present in the Augustus with the comet denarius

Answer 8

• religious leader

Question 9

describe the Augustus side of the Augustus with religious objects denarius

Answer 9

• by now he is ~50 but is depicted youthfully - perpetual youth - divine ancestory gives right to rule also perpertual youth implies stability

Question 10

describe the religious objects side of the Augustus with religious objects denarius

Answer 10

Has 4 religious objects:
- simplum (religious ladle)
- lituus (augars wand)
- patera (bowl used in sacrifice)
- tripod

Question 11

What was the point of the Augustus with religious objects denarius

Answer 11

to emphasis and reinforce Augustus’ connection to the state religion

Question 12

What themes are present on the Augustus with religious objects denarius

Answer 12

• religious leader

Question 13

Describe the Octavian side of the Octavian with Pax denarius

Answer 13

• looks stoic
• looks younger than he is - implies stability and perpetual youth links with divinity

Question 14

desribe the Pax side of the Octavian with Pax denarius

Answer 14

• has Augustus’ title Divi Filius - giving him right to rule, and associates him with J.C. who was popular with plebs and soldiers.
• Pax is the goddess of peace and here she holds a cornicopia symbolising plenty and a laural branch symbolising victory

Question 15

What is the point of the Octavian with Pax denarius

Answer 15

Denarii were used to pay soldiers so Octavian links himself with peace, plenty and victory shown by Pax. This however comes through war but if you fight for Octavian you will get the rewards of these 3 things.

Question 16

What themes are present on the Octavian with Pax denarius

Answer 16

• (successful) military leader
• religious leader