Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 120 6-7 Oct 2020
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Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD
Denarius, Pergamum circa 19-18 BC, AR 3.83 g. Bare head r. Rev. ARMENIA / CAPTA Tiara and bow cases with quiver. C 12. BMC 673. RIC 515. CBN 997.
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex NAC sale 52, 2009, 304.
Ever since 53 B.C., when the Parthians massacred the legions of Crassus near Carrhae, Romans had a keen awareness of their ancient enemy in the East, and of the territories that separated their two worlds. Armenia was the most important of these buffer states, and throughout the confrontational history of Rome with the Parthians or Sasanians, it was an important land to control. Typically, this did not mean large garrisons and full occupation, but control through a sympathetic ruler. When Octavian gained control of the Roman East after his defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C., Parthia and Armenia were high on his list of concerns. The emperor spent the winter of 22/21 in Samos fine-tuning imperial policy in the East as he prepared to address his real goals: making sure Armenia was secure and recovering from Parthia the military standards that had been lost by Crassus in 53, Decidus Saxa in 40 and Antony in 36. In 20, opportunity arose: civil unrest broke in Armenia and an embassy beseeched Augustus to replace their current king, Artaxias, with his brother Tigranes, who for a decade had been living in Rome. Augustus entrusted his eldest stepson, Tiberius, to raise an army and lead it and Tigranes to Armenia, and to install him as the new king. Tiberius achieved this without much difficulty – a remarkable task for a 21-year-old; but then, we must remember what his step-father had achieved while he was younger still. The Parthian king Phraates was awed by the swift and convincing actions of Augustus. Not only did he accept the appointment of the new Armenian king, but he handed over all of the captured Roman standards. It was a bloodless victory and a diplomatic coup, but if coinage is relied upon solely, one is left with the impression of a mighty military campaign in Armenia.
Denarius, Pergamum circa 19-18 BC, AR 3.83 g. Bare head r. Rev. ARMENIA / CAPTA Tiara and bow cases with quiver. C 12. BMC 673. RIC 515. CBN 997.
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex NAC sale 52, 2009, 304.
Ever since 53 B.C., when the Parthians massacred the legions of Crassus near Carrhae, Romans had a keen awareness of their ancient enemy in the East, and of the territories that separated their two worlds. Armenia was the most important of these buffer states, and throughout the confrontational history of Rome with the Parthians or Sasanians, it was an important land to control. Typically, this did not mean large garrisons and full occupation, but control through a sympathetic ruler. When Octavian gained control of the Roman East after his defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C., Parthia and Armenia were high on his list of concerns. The emperor spent the winter of 22/21 in Samos fine-tuning imperial policy in the East as he prepared to address his real goals: making sure Armenia was secure and recovering from Parthia the military standards that had been lost by Crassus in 53, Decidus Saxa in 40 and Antony in 36. In 20, opportunity arose: civil unrest broke in Armenia and an embassy beseeched Augustus to replace their current king, Artaxias, with his brother Tigranes, who for a decade had been living in Rome. Augustus entrusted his eldest stepson, Tiberius, to raise an army and lead it and Tigranes to Armenia, and to install him as the new king. Tiberius achieved this without much difficulty – a remarkable task for a 21-year-old; but then, we must remember what his step-father had achieved while he was younger still. The Parthian king Phraates was awed by the swift and convincing actions of Augustus. Not only did he accept the appointment of the new Armenian king, but he handed over all of the captured Roman standards. It was a bloodless victory and a diplomatic coup, but if coinage is relied upon solely, one is left with the impression of a mighty military campaign in Armenia.