Roman Empire β Silver denarius of emperor Vespasian (
Denarius (3.42 g, 18 mm), Rome 70/2. Obv.: IMP CAES VESP AVG PM, laced head to the right. Rv. TRI POT II COS III PP, Pax sitting to the left with branch and goddess. RIC:39, C:566The son of a businessman and brother of the prefect of Rome, he enlisted as a soldier in the army. He served under Caligula, Claudius and Nero. He was successful and held positions in Britain, Germania, Greece and Judea, among others. Nero let him strike down a revolt in the latter country, with great success. Coins with the "Judea Capta" reverse side are highly sought-after. After Galba fell, and Otho after that, Vitellius rose to power. The soldiers of Vespasian were not satisfied with that and chose Vespasian as emperor. Vespasian went to Rome and even before he reached the city gates, Vitellius was lynched and Vespasian was hailed as a hero. He was a skilled leader and Rome prospered. He had the Colosseum built, for example. In 79 he died of dysentery. Read More