Denarius of Augustus with Pax (or Venus) - RIC I 2 253

This coin is a silver denarius from Italy and comes to us sometime before, or around the time of, the battle at Actium in 31 BCE. This was around the time that the second triumvirate fell apart, while Octavian was fighting Mark Antony for power. At the time this coin was minted, Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, was still known by his birth name Octavian as he had not yet taken the title of ‘Augustus’. This coin was minted sometime between 32-29 BCE, as part of Octavian’s propaganda to gain power over Rome. Various silver denarii were being minted at this time and in different variations. The moneyer of this coin is unknown because there is no identifiable mark or legend of the minter on the coin, or on other coins of this kind. This coin issue as a whole was made in abundance.

This coin is promoting Octavian showing his full-length figure advancing to the right in military dress on the reverse. He holds a spear over his left shoulder using his left hand while his right arm is raised in adlocutio ('salute'). Octavian is portrayed either as leading his troops into battle or as inspiring them with his words. His figure is surrounded by the legend CAESAR DIVI. F across the field. This legend translates to "Son of Divine Caesar". The obverse of this coin contains a draped bust of Pax or Venus, facing the right. The figure's hair is looped at the back and two ringlets fall down her neck.

The exact female figure is not known for certain as she is not named on the coin, but it is likely Pax, the goddess of Peace. This is because two attributes of Pax are present on the coin. These attributes are the olive branch and cornucopia which are placed on either side of the figure. However there is speculation that this figure could be Venus, the goddess of love, because of a very similar coin that was minted around the same time. The coin, RIC I 2 251, depicts a female figure’s bust on the obverse and Octavian on the reverse in only a slightly different position. There are no other symbols or attributes along with the bust and therefore it is believed that the figure is Venus. These obverse images are virtually identical, besides the inclusion of the attributes; the cornucopia and olive branch. Another theory suggesting the figure is Venus presumes the attributes are not a cornucopia or olive branch but myrtle and a conch-shell, which are attributes of Venus. The debate for whether this figure is Pax or Venus is also present in the relief on the Ara Pacis Augustae. There has been much discussion on whether the fertility goddess on this altar commissioned by Augustus, built years after this coin was minted, is Pax or Venus.

The use of a goddess on this coin is to send a message to the Roman people, as this coin would be circulated around the empire and used by various classes. This goddesses, whether Pax or Venus, is significant in their presence on the coin. Different messages are shared depending on who the Roman people believed the goddess was. In this respect, the coin was likely intended to be ambiguous. In fact, it is very possible that the figure on the coin is a representation of both goddesses by merging them.

If it is believed that the figure is Pax, the message being promoted is that Octavian is a believer of peace and will bring peace to Rome. Octavian indeed brought peace to Rome, however this coin preceded that period. At the time of this coin being minted and circulated, Octavian was at war with Mark Antony. This was a crucial time for Octavian to gain status and also explains the depiction of Octavian in military dress on the reverse of the coin. This message of peace is a strong and comforting message to the Roman people, and would have helped Octavian to secure their confidence in his rule. In this case, the obverse and the reverse of the coin work together to tell the story that Octavian is going to bring peace to Rome through a victory against Mark Antony, ending an age of civil wars.

If the interpretation is that the figure is Venus, this message is based around the idea that Octavian is divine as he is the descendant of Venus through his (adoptive) father Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar claimed to have been a descendant of Venus through the line of Aeneas. This idea is later strengthened through the epic poem The Aeneid which was written by Virgil under the authority of Augustus. Since Julius Caesar was deified following his death, Octavian was able to use this to reinforce his claims as the son of a god. This explains the legend "Son of Divine Caesar" on the reverse. This coin is being used to help Octavian lay claim to the name Caesar and is imitating Caesar’s iconography.

The symbolism and messages being portrayed using these goddesses is important for the depiction of Octavian, and reinforces his divinity and piety. The messages are different depending on whether the goddess depicted is Pax or Venus, however they are important and effective either way. The use of a goddess on this coin has lead to a propagandistic depiction of Octavian.

Credits:

Story by Olivia Eustace
Photos by Charlotte Dunn, suppplied by the Otago Museum.