(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Domitian, 24.23 g.

(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Domitian, 24.23 g.

Domitian

90-91 CE

Obverse: Laureate head of Domitian facing right.; IMP(ERATOR) CAES(AR) DOMIT(IANVS) AVG(VSTVS) GERM(ANICVS) CO(N)S(VL) XV CENS(OR) PER(PETVVS) P(ATER) P(ATRIAE): Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus, consul for the fifteenth time, censor in perpetuity, father of the country.

Reverse: Jupiter seated facing left, holding Victoria in right hand and scepter in left; IOVI VICTORI: to Jove Victorious; in exergue, S(ENATVS) C(ONSVLTO): by decree of the Senate.

Style/Period: Roman Empire

The reverse of this sestertius depicts the chief Roman god, Jove or Jupiter, with the epithet "Victorious," apparently a general reference to Domitian's success in securing the western and northern frontiers at this time. Although Minerva as his patron deity was usually the object of Domitian's thank offerings, Jupiter was also a pre-eminent war god who occupied a special position in the empire as protector of the emperor. Domitian replaced the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline that burned in 80 CE with a magnificent building with gilded doors and roof, and he also rebuilt the Temple of Jupiter Tonans, probably also damaged in the same fire.
-- Carol L. Lawton

Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage II: Vespasian to Hadrian (London 1926) 388.

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Coin Galleries, 1960.

91.155

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

Roman Empire, Domitian, Jupiter, Victoria, scepter