Roman Coinage

As distinct historical documents, Ancient Roman coins undeniably provide key insights into the culture and government of the time. Designed by rulers and the government, these coins do have limitations in the breadth of their historical representation: they do not necessarily reflect the goals and values of the people ruled. Yet herein lies their value as relevant governmental artifacts. Coins functioned similarly to political ads; they communicated values and intentions and were small, widely disseminated representations of how rulers wished to appear to the populace. Boldly breaking tradition, Julius Caesar became the first ruler to portray himself on coins, also utilizing inscriptions to proclaim his superiority as dictator. Establishing himself under a different title and a shift to idealized portraiture, Augustus later used coinage to maintain the guise of res restaurata while distancing himself from Caesar. Though an ancient Roman coin constitutes just a slice of life, it was emblematic as a valuable political tool for both rulers in controlling their desired public images.

The first century B.C.E. saw a turn in the focus of coinage to highlight personal history and achievement, beginning with Sulla and Pompey, who made coins themselves to pay their soldiers. However, near 45 B.C.E. after winning the civil war, Julius Caesar boldly became the first ruler to distribute official coins with his own image: an honor traditionally reserved for those who had died. The laurel wreath pictured around his head served as another visual reminder of his status as a successful general , weighting this decision visually. With this move, Caesar was providing both an ad for and a proclamation of his then fragile dictatorship. Gi...

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...ing produced at the same or higher rate despite a lack of any significant population growth. Indeed, this further suggests the central nature coinage had in providing propaganda for Augustus. Like those before and after him, was intent on advertising himself as a "Champion" and relied upon coins to spread this title and achievements he claimed. Though the major spikes in instability occurred before his rule, it seems from the evidence provided by Turchin and Scheidel that this goal nevertheless operated independently of both population size and general instability of the time period.

The titling and engravings, as represented by the coin of Augustus, emphasize a clear and significant governmental shift away from Caesar's dictatorship and the Republic. As evidenced particularly by Augustus, this focus became of central importance to his self-portrayal and rule.