(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius, 24.98 g.

(Copper/bronze/brass) Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius, 24.98 g.

Marcus Aurelius

163-164 CE

Obverse: Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius facing right; M(ARCVS) AVREL(IVS) ANTONINVS AVG(VSTVS) ARMENIACVS P(ONTIFEX) M(AXIMVS): Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, restorer of Armenia, pontifex maximus.

Reverse: Mars standing facing right, with spear in right hand and shield in left; S(ENATVS)-C(ONSVLTO): by decree of the Senate; TR(IBVNICIA) P(OTESTATE) XVIII IMP(ERATOR) II CO(N)S(VL) III: with tribunician power for the eighteenth time, imperator for the second time, consul for the third time.

Style/Period: Roman Empire

Aurelius' first serious problem after his accession was the invasion of Armenia by the Parthians. In 162 CE Aurelius' co-regent, Lucius Verus, went to the East to deal with the problem, and his victory there in 164 CE re-established Roman control of the area. This coin (see also 91.179) refers to his initial victory, which was the occasion for Aurelius' second donative (a donativum or donative was the gift of money to soldiers, typically in celebration of a military victory; the civilian equivalent was called a congiarium-see 91.171).
The reverse appropriately depicts Mars, the god of war. He is depicted with his usual attributes, wearing a cuirass and helmet and holding his spear and shield.
-- Malcolm Pettingell Hyman, LU '93

Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage III: Antoninus Pius to Commodus (London 1930) 861.

Purchased from Edward Gans 1959.

91.180

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

Roman, Empire, Marcus Aurelius, Mars, spear, shield, Marcus Aurelius