Silver Denarius, 19 mm, 3.8 grams
Obverse: Head of Augustus. AVGVSTVS DIVI F
Reverse: Bull butting, IMP X below.
Minted at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyons, France), 14 - 12 BC.
The great-nephew of Julius Caesar, Gaius
Octavius (Octavian) became Caesar's adopted son. Following
Caesar's assassination, Octavian raised an army and extorted an unconstitutional
consulship from the senate (43 BC.) He concluded a deal with his
arch-rival, Mark Antony which divided power among
them (the deal also included Lepidus as the so-called Second Triumvirate).
A later redivision of power gave Octavian the entire western half of the
Roman world, and Antony the eastern half. While Antony was distracted
by warfare with Parthia and his liaison with Cleopatra,
Octavian undermined Antony in Rome. In the Battle of Actium,
31 BC, Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra and became the sole ruler
of the Roman world.
"Augustus" was the title of honor conferred on him
in 27 BC by the Senate. He ruled until 14 AD. His long reign was
a time of peace and reconstruction at home, sound administration, and steady
conquest abroad.