Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Domitia, wife of Domitian.
Aureus circa 82-83, AV 7.72 g. D OMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT Draped bust r., hair in plait. Rev. DIVVS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANI F Infant seated l. on globe, lifting up both hands; around him, seven stars. C 10. BMC 62. RIC 152. CBN 70. Calicó 949.
Very rare. A gentle portrait of fine style and a fascinating reverse type. Good very fine
Ex M&M 28, 1964, 317; Hirsch 193, 1997, 46; Hirsch 200, 1998, 28; NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 66 and NAC sale 59, 2011, 960 sales.
Though Domitian's wife Domitia hailed from a most distinguished line – her father was the famous Neronian general Corbulo – her reputation was no better than her husband's: she was considered boastful, especially of her misdeeds, and was branded a frequent adulterer. Her most famous affair, with an actor named Paris, caused Domitian to exile her and to execute him. He quickly replaced her with his niece Julia Titi, with whom he had been infatuated for years, only to recall Domitia after Julia Titi died in 90 or 91. Their renewed relationship must have been less than satisfying, because within five or six years she joined a plot to murder Domitian, which was successful in the fall of 96. Domitia bore Domitian two children – first a girl, then a year later a boy. The names of neither are preserved, and the girl is not attested on coinage. The boy, however, is depicted on the reverse of certain precious metal coins – typically aurei and denarii with the portrait of Domitia on the obverse, but very rarely on denarii with the portrait of Domitian on the obverse. As the inscription and iconography indicate, the boy died young and subsequently was deified. He is depicted as a young Jupiter seated on a globe surrounded by the seven stars in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Aureus circa 82-83, AV 7.72 g. D OMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT Draped bust r., hair in plait. Rev. DIVVS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANI F Infant seated l. on globe, lifting up both hands; around him, seven stars. C 10. BMC 62. RIC 152. CBN 70. Calicó 949.
Very rare. A gentle portrait of fine style and a fascinating reverse type. Good very fine
Ex M&M 28, 1964, 317; Hirsch 193, 1997, 46; Hirsch 200, 1998, 28; NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 66 and NAC sale 59, 2011, 960 sales.
Though Domitian's wife Domitia hailed from a most distinguished line – her father was the famous Neronian general Corbulo – her reputation was no better than her husband's: she was considered boastful, especially of her misdeeds, and was branded a frequent adulterer. Her most famous affair, with an actor named Paris, caused Domitian to exile her and to execute him. He quickly replaced her with his niece Julia Titi, with whom he had been infatuated for years, only to recall Domitia after Julia Titi died in 90 or 91. Their renewed relationship must have been less than satisfying, because within five or six years she joined a plot to murder Domitian, which was successful in the fall of 96. Domitia bore Domitian two children – first a girl, then a year later a boy. The names of neither are preserved, and the girl is not attested on coinage. The boy, however, is depicted on the reverse of certain precious metal coins – typically aurei and denarii with the portrait of Domitia on the obverse, but very rarely on denarii with the portrait of Domitian on the obverse. As the inscription and iconography indicate, the boy died young and subsequently was deified. He is depicted as a young Jupiter seated on a globe surrounded by the seven stars in the constellation of Ursa Major.