AUGUSTUS SEMIS, 4.46 g. FAMOUS 'TWIN OXEN PLOWING', EST. ROME'S FIRST CITY LIMIT

Description: AUGUSTUS SEMI, 4.46 g. FAMOUS 'TWIN OXEN PLOWING' Obverse: Augustus, bare head right. AVG Reverse: Two pontiffs driving team of oxen, plowing pomerium. Denomination: Æ16, Semi, Philippi Mint Metal: Bronze Weight: 4.46 g Diameter: 16.0 mm Attribution: RPC 1656; SNG cop. 282; Varbanov 3770. Discussion: Augustus Maneuvers from "First Among Equals" to "Rome's First Emperor" to "Caesar for Life" Through the Use of Politics Augustus demonstrated a keen sense of the use "the gods and the Founding Fathers of Rome" and their political impact upon the population of Rome. In selecting the theme for the obverse of this coin, the "two pontiffs driving a team of oxen, plowing the (pomerium), or the original religious boundaries of Rome" connected Augustus to the very first actions taken in the establishment of Rome over eight centuries prior. Reverse: Who are the Pontiffs?Ancient Rome maintained four primary colleges of priests and augurs. The most illustrious was the college of Pontifices. A single individual known as the pontifex maximus presided over all four colleges. By the third century BCE, the pontiffs had assumed control of the state religious system throughout Rome and the Empire. What is the significance of the Two Oxen Plowing the Field?The significance of the "two founder priests driving a yoke of oxen, plowing the pomerium" (pomerium) as this became the original religious boundary around the city of Rome. It was the first step in establishing the city of Rome. In legal terms, Rome existed only within its pomerium; everything beyond it was simply territory not yet belonging to Rome. (I imagine this was reason for using two priests and two oxen. Departing in in opposite directions, they meet again at some future date and predetermined physical structure which would allow for a natural city boundary). Obverse:The Political Connection Augustus Used to the Past SucceededAugustus, was in effect drawing connections between his present reign as the First Roman Emperor in 27 BCE, to the original establishment of the borders of Rome. The connection worked and Augustus remained Rome's leader. As such, Augustus was made Rome's First Caesar, or Emperor for Life. The reign of Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana (The Roman Peace). The Roman world was largely free from large-scale conflict for more than two centuries. Beyond the frontiers, he secured the Empire with a buffer region of client states and made peace with the Parthian Empire through diplomacy. The letters "AVG" for Augustus appear to the left behind Augustus' head. Augustus reformed the Roman system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an official courier system, established a standing army, established the Praetorian Guard, created official police and fire-fighting services for Rome, and rebuilt much of the city during his reign. Augustus died in AD 14 at the age of 75, and at that age, it was probably from natural causes. (Reference: Wikipedia. I am an annual financial supporting participant in Wikipedia's ongoing effort to maintain knowledge open and free to the world in their language.) Assessment of Condition: I will leave the coin's value to be determined by the Buyer based upon an assessment of the photographs. Specific Details Regarding Our Transaction and Statements of Fact AUTHENTICITY: I guarantee each coin is in fact genuine as described. 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Price: 184.15 USD

Location: Mystic, Connecticut

End Time: 2025-01-19T18:15:39.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD