Augustus and the Altar

Historical Background

This coin comes from the first emperor of the Roman Empire, Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC - 14 AD. Buildings have always been an important part of Augustus’ forty year reign, exemplified by his well known quote; “[he] found it [Rome] a city of brick and left it a city of marble."[1] Augustus undertook several public building ventures, mainly in the religious realm,[2] and this coin is a testament to that.

This coin is a quadrans, dated to 9 BC, which was a common bronze coin used by the Romans; copper quadrans were ¼ of an As,[3] and so were not of high value like an Aureus would be. It was minted under the authority of Augustus in Rome, and issued by three men; L. Aelius, P. Silius. P, and C. Annius Pollio. This coin features a cornucopia on the obverse side, flanked by ‘SC’, and with ‘LAMIA SILIVS ANNIVS’ inscribed around the border, referring to the three men who issued the coin. The reverse side showcases a gardlanded altar which is surrounded by the inscription ‘III.VIR.A.A.A.F.F’; which stands for ‘triumviri auro, argento, aere, flando, feriundo’, or ‘three men for the casting and striking of bronze, silver and gold”.

Coin Interpretation

The building on this coin could be related to many different things, as Augustus created many public temples.[1] It is clear that this is connected to religious practices, due to the image of an altar, and the main altar associated with Augustus at the time of this coin’s production - 9 BC - would be the Ara Pacis Augustae.[4] 

The Ara Pacis, which was commissioned by the senate in 13 BC, was dedicated in the same year as the coin distribution.[5] It was a structure intended to be viewed as a testament to Roman strength, and was proudly displayed on the border of the city, in full view of the travellers who came in and out of the city of Rome.[4] The Ara Pacis was built in commemoration of Augustus’ victorious return from pacification campaigns in Spain and Gaul,[6] which is referenced in the cornucopia imagery on the obverse of the coin; a cornucopia is a sign of “good fortune, peace, plenty, order, and prosperity” thought to be derived from “divine favor” elicited by piety seen in the success of Roman arms.[7] This altar exemplifies the qualities that a cornucopia represents; peaceful cooperation under successful military power. Adding to this, the Ara Pacis altar was constructed in “symbolic ‘symphony’” with the Montecitorio Obelisk that stood nearby; an object stolen from Egypt by Augustus as a dedication to Roman state power.[4] Clearly showing that this altar was a celebration of victory and a confirmation of the power Augustus held.

The Ara Pacis is also notable for its many friezes which included many figures, notably including Augustus’ family and close colleagues. It is a very bold move to place images of yourself on an altar to the gods, but it works well with Augustus’ divine messaging. Religion was an important part of any Roman’s life, and would be more so for Augustus, who was thought to be the son of a God - the deified Julius Caesar - himself. The Romans valued piety to the gods and to your parents, who ruled over their children like the gods ruled over humans. In respecting the gods; acknowledging their presence and honouring them with these public buildings; Augustus was showing piety towards both crucial Roman influences. Augustus’ intention was to show that the Julian line was descended from the gods, and the family was destined to rule over Rome, bringing peace and prosperity to the nation.[8] In linking himself to this altar, Augustus is not only honouring the gods and his paternal connection to them, but establishing a godlike reputation for his family, which helps to anchor their reign. 

While it seems highly likely that this coin is referencing the Ara Pacis, the lack of identifiable inscriptions or iconography suggests that this coin could be a general message of piety, rather than a specific temple. It could also be an altar of the “lares Augusti”, a cult who had a reformation around the dating of these coins, and who had enjoyed altars “springing up like mushrooms” all around Rome.[9]

Regardless of which altar it is, or indeed if it is a specific altar at all, this coin’s message comes down to the victorious flourishing of Roman power under the Augustan rule, and shows the divine influences that allow for this. For Augustus’ new system to be accepted, it was crucial to show that the gods themselves accepted him. The divine right to rule was an important assertion needed for the easy acceptance of empirical reign, and was especially important for Augustus at the beginning of the empire. In distributing this coin; one which is common and easily accessible to all classes; Augustus sends a strong political message of religious favor lead by his rule.

References

[1] Suet. Aug. 28.

[2] Suet. Aug. 29.

[3] Lamp 2013, 82.

[4] Maller 2013, 354.

[5] Eck 1998, 129.

[6] Maller 2013.

[7] Williams 2007, 154.

[8] Lamp 2013, 80.

[9] Lamp 2013, 102.

Credits

Written by Ruby Woods-Douglas, photos by Charlotte Dunn, courtesy of the Otago Museum.