(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Titus, 21.83 g.

(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Titus, 21.83 g.

Titus

80 CE

Obverse: Titus seated facing left amid arms, holding branch in right hand; S(ENATVS)- C(ONSVLTO): by decree of the Senate; IMP(ERATOR) T(ITVS) CAES(AR) VESP(ASIANVS) AVG(VSTVS) P(ONTIFEX) M(AXIMVS) TR(IBVNICIA) P(OTESTATE) P(ATER) P(ATRIAE) CO(N)S(VL) VIII: Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, pontifex maximus, with tribunician power, father of the country, consul for the eighth time.

Reverse: The Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum), Meta Sudans to left.

Style/Period: Roman Empire

The most well-known landmark in Rome, the Flavian Amphitheater, better known by its medieval name, the Colosseum, was begun by Vespasian in 71 CE on land reclaimed for the people from an artificial lake in the gardens of Nero's Golden House. Work on it was continued by Titus, who dedicated it in 80 CE with opening games lasting 100 days. The largest amphitheater in antiquity, it could hold 50,000 spectators and was used for the most popular types of entertainment at the time, beast fights and gladiatorial contests. The bird's-eye view of the Colosseum on the reverse of this sestertius of Titus, issued to celebrate the opening, shows the amphitheater packed with people. To the left is the tall, conical fountain known as the Meta Sudans, which stood in the vicinity.
Titus seated amid captured arms, a general reference to his successful military campaigns, replaces the usual portrait head or bust on the obverse.
-- Carol L. Lawton

Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage II: Vespasian to Hadrian (London 1926) 110; P.V. Hill, The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types (London 1989).

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Harlan Berk 06/22/93.

93.023

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890

Roman, Empire, Titus, branch, Flavian Amphitheater, Colosseum, Meta Sudans