RIC I 2 81 (I), AS OF TIBERIUS, 22-30AD
Throughout Roman Imperial history coins were used widely by Emperors and individuals of the highest ranking as a form of political propaganda to spread and promote their imperial images, achievements and honours to those who held importance in ancient Rome.[1] The Bronze As in this article was released under the authority of the second Roman Emperor, Tiberius, who succeeded the throne in 14 AD after the death of the Deified Augustus. (Seut. Tib. 22-26) This coin is estimated to have been issued sometime between 22-30AD, seven years before the end of Tiberius’ reign. This date range also coincides with Tiberius’ retirement to Capri in 27AD, in which he did not return to the city of Rome for the remainder of his reign. Roman coinage was looked at by many individuals that resided within the boundaries of the Roman empire therefore, a large importance was placed on the use of coins by many, if not all, Emperors. Coins allowed them to disperse their political agenda across the empire, to deliver news to the wider public as well as further promoting their image and increasing their influence as an emperor. This also allowed emperors to dictate what news and images the public received according to their own agenda in order to gain widespread support from the general public.[2]
The coins released under the authority of Tiberius often promoted him with marks of respectability, this is seen through the heavy use of the names of his deified predecessors Caesar and Augustus, further promoting his parentage through legends much like the one displayed of the obverse of the coin displayed.[3] Most, if not all, of Roman coinage acted as at the primary weapon of propaganda for emperors.[4] Because of this, the coins are unlikely to be an accurate representation of the events at the time, but rather paint a narrative constructed by the Imperial government of what they said was happening. This becomes a very important political tool for emperors, especially in a reign where many of the literary sources had a hostile narrative to “tyrannical” and unpopular emperors, much like the reign of Tiberius.[5] Therefore, the coins in many ways acted to counter the negative propaganda of the writers, balancing the pro and anti-Imperial aspects of ancient Rome.[6]
Tiberius’ reign of imperial Rome occurred between the years of 14-37AD.[7] It is said that the initial rule of Tiberius was positive,[8] it was seen that Tiberius improved the financial condition of Rome and the civil services provided within Rome, however Tiberius did not possess the same qualities that many idolised in the previous emperor Augustus, this lead to Tiberius’ decline in popularity among the general public and the senate. In the last years of his reign, Tiberius became a “tyrannical recluse, inflicting a reign of terror against the major personages of Rome.”[9] When Tiberius passed, the Roman Empire was left stable and to some extent prosperous, with the institute of the Principate being well established and strong, allowing it to survive the excessive ruling of Tiberius’ successors.[10]
The obverse of this coin from the Otago Museum’s collection shows the bare head of Tiberius, with the legend reading DIVVS AVGVTVS PATER,[11] this translates to Divine Augustus the Father. It can be assumed that this coin was released in honour of the memory of the deceased, now divine, Augustus. The obverse of this coin heavily demonstrates a form of Imperial propaganda, with an emphasis being placed on the lineage of Tiberius as the adopted son of Augustus. This could be seen as an attempt to promote his position as the rightful heir of the Roman Empire by highlighting Augustus’ divinity. In making this connection to Augustus, Tiberius draws on the popularity of his predecessor, to heighten his own importance and popularity among those who would view the images and inscriptions on this coin. Tiberius places a large emphasis on his connection to the Julio-Claudian dynasty, this further consolidates the succession of power from Augustus to Tiberius as the emperor of Rome.
The reverse of the coin depicts what appears to be a temple in honour of the Divine Augustus. The temple can be identified as the Ara Povidentiae Augusti, likely to have been located in the Campus Martius. The building of this temple was initiated under the reign of Tiberius, however, like most of Tiberius’ public works, it was completed by his successor Caligula.[12] The image of the Ara Providentiae is often seen as a promotion of succession whether this is by birth right, or if a successor is determined through adoption by the Emperor. The Ara Providentiae is a prominent image seen in the Asses series of coins and often appears as a symbol of the bond between Tiberius and Augustus.[13] It is also argued that the family sphere was often depicted in the mints of Asses, which is seen through the image of the Ara Providentiae promoting the connection that Tiberius had to Augustus. The symbol of the Ara Providentiae can also emphasise the numen (divine spirit) of the emperors, that can "assure the stability and continuity [of] the empire,”[14] thus promoting Tiberius’ influence over, and succession of, the Roman Empire.
The altar to Augustus is located between the letters S and C, this legend serves to legitimise the minting of the coin under the decree of the senate. PROVIDENT is written in exergue on the reverse of the coin. This translates to Providentia, otherwise known as foresight. The dedication of temples to the Divine Providentia was a common Roman practice and this type is often found on the reverse of coins by Augustus and his successors. The denomination of this coin was the basic unit of imperial coinage (Asses) therefore it was widely circulated throughout the Roman Empire. This becomes important when analysing coins as a form of propaganda. Due to the low denomination of this coin it meant that it was widely circulated in public through the form of payment and trades, therefore allowing for the circulation of the image of the Divine Augustus and his relationship to the new emperor Tiberius.
References
[1] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 85
[2] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 81
[3] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 85
[4] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 85
[5] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 84
[6] Michael Grant, “Roman Coins as Propaganda,” in Archaeology 5 no. 2, 1952: 79, 85; Oliver Hekster, Erika Manders, and Danielle Slootjes, “Making History with Coins: Nero from a Numismatic Perspective,” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 45 no. 1 2014: 84
[7] BBC History, Tiberius, accessed 2018, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/tiberius.shtml
[8] BBC History, Tiberius, accessed 2018, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/tiberius.shtml
[9] Encyclopaedia Britannica accessed 2018, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tiberius
[10] Encyclopaedia Britannica accessed 2018, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tiberius
[11] Otago Museum, Coin Collection, RIC I 2 81 (i)
[12] Sydenham, 1917: 264, Wasson accessed 2018, https://www.ancient.eu/Tiberius/
[13] Torelli. M, Typology & Structure of Roman Historical Reliefs, 64-66 https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=4012VYCWYqwC&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=Ara+Providentiae+Augusti&source=bl&ots=t0Ibik9h-t&sig=nrVAp6GYMI8IljnOyaHSBQ9TqVA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi376jLicfdAhWPMd4KHcaZCy0Q6AEwBnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Ara%20Providentiae%20Augusti&f=false
[14] Torelli, Typology & Structure of Roman Historical Reliefs, 64-66