Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIV 21 Sep 2017
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Didius Julianus AV Aureus. Rome, 28 March - 1 June AD 193. IMP CAES M DID IVLIAN AVG, laureate head right / •P•M•TR•P•COS•, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae. RIC 2a; C. 8; BMCRE 4; Calicó 2395; Woodward pl. VI, 6. 6.42g, 20mm, 5h.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
The previous emperor Pertinax having been murdered after just three months in the imperial palace, Didius Julianus was raised to the Purple in a shameful episode, where the sources record, the empire was 'auctioned' to the highest bidder by the Praetorian Guard. In fear of what troubles Julianus and the Praetorians could create if challenged, the Senate were forced to submit to his rule and ratify his elevation to the throne, whilst at the same time bestowing honorific titles on his wife and daughter, Manlia Scantilla and Didia Clara. Cassius Dio relates that "The next day we [the Senators] went up to pay our respects to him, moulding our faces, so to speak, and posturing, so that our grief should not be detected. The populace, however, went about openly with sullen looks, spoke its mind as much as it pleased, and was getting ready to do anything it could. Finally, when he came to the senate-house and was about to sacrifice to Janus before the entrance, all fell to shouting, as if by preconcerted arrangement, calling him stealer of the empire and parricide" (LXXIV, 13, 2-3).
However, Julianus' time in the palace was to be limited by the challenges of three provincial governors, all of whom laid claim to the imperial throne. Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britain and Septimius Severus in Upper Pannonia all had themselves acclaimed emperor, Cassius Dio relating that it was the populace of the city that had first called for Niger to come to their aid. As the closest to Italy, Severus had the advantage and marched toward Rome, the spectre of his approaching army being enough to further weaken Julianus' grip on power so that the Senate were able to condemn him to death and appoint Severus in his place. Seen in the knowledge of Julianus' demise, the reverse type of the present piece featuring Fortuna is then somewhat ironic. The goddess of fortune and personification of luck in Roman religion, her depiction on the coinage would involved the goddess' blessing for the both emperor and empire; however she was as equally dedicated to ensuring life's capriciousness, as it must quickly have become apparent to Julianus.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
The previous emperor Pertinax having been murdered after just three months in the imperial palace, Didius Julianus was raised to the Purple in a shameful episode, where the sources record, the empire was 'auctioned' to the highest bidder by the Praetorian Guard. In fear of what troubles Julianus and the Praetorians could create if challenged, the Senate were forced to submit to his rule and ratify his elevation to the throne, whilst at the same time bestowing honorific titles on his wife and daughter, Manlia Scantilla and Didia Clara. Cassius Dio relates that "The next day we [the Senators] went up to pay our respects to him, moulding our faces, so to speak, and posturing, so that our grief should not be detected. The populace, however, went about openly with sullen looks, spoke its mind as much as it pleased, and was getting ready to do anything it could. Finally, when he came to the senate-house and was about to sacrifice to Janus before the entrance, all fell to shouting, as if by preconcerted arrangement, calling him stealer of the empire and parricide" (LXXIV, 13, 2-3).
However, Julianus' time in the palace was to be limited by the challenges of three provincial governors, all of whom laid claim to the imperial throne. Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britain and Septimius Severus in Upper Pannonia all had themselves acclaimed emperor, Cassius Dio relating that it was the populace of the city that had first called for Niger to come to their aid. As the closest to Italy, Severus had the advantage and marched toward Rome, the spectre of his approaching army being enough to further weaken Julianus' grip on power so that the Senate were able to condemn him to death and appoint Severus in his place. Seen in the knowledge of Julianus' demise, the reverse type of the present piece featuring Fortuna is then somewhat ironic. The goddess of fortune and personification of luck in Roman religion, her depiction on the coinage would involved the goddess' blessing for the both emperor and empire; however she was as equally dedicated to ensuring life's capriciousness, as it must quickly have become apparent to Julianus.