Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61351Auction date: 11 December 2023
Lot number: 24149

Price realized: 115 USD   (Approx. 107 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
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Lot description:


Ancients
Domitian, as Augustus (AD 81-96). AE sestertius (34mm, 24.48 gm, 5h). NGC Fine 5/5 - 3/5. Rome, AD 90-91. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVII CENS PER P P, laureate head of Domitian right / IOVI-VICTORI, Jupiter seated left, feet on stool, Victory standing left in outstretched right hand, grounded scepter in left; S C in exergue. RIC II.1, 794.

Domitian, often remembered as a controversial figure in Roman history, lived a complex life marked by both admirable achievements and a dark reputation. Born in AD 51 into the esteemed Flavian family, his father Vespasian's rise to power marked the conclusion of the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Despite his auspicious lineage, Domitian spent much of his early life in the shadow of his elder brother Titus. This overshadowing may have contributed to the development of his reserved and resentful personality. However, when Titus passed away in AD 81 after a brief two-year rule, Domitian swiftly stepped into the role of emperor, marking the beginning of his own rule within the Flavian dynasty.

Domitian's reign, like that of Tiberius, began with promise and efficiency. He initiated numerous building projects, promoted the arts, and improved the administration of the Roman Empire. However, as time passed, his rule took a darker turn. He became increasingly paranoid, leading to purges and persecutions of perceived enemies. His reign ended with a sense of dread and violence, reminiscent of the later years of Tiberius. Though Domitian's rule was marked by both accomplishments and atrocities, his legacy remains a testament to the complexity of leadership in the Roman Empire, where the balance between virtue and tyranny often hung in precarious equilibrium.

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