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Denarius - Augustus, Gaius Caesar, and Lucius Caesar C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT
| Issuer | Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Year | 2 BC - 4 AD |
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| Value | 1 Denarius |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse description | Gaius and Lucius Caesar depicted standing facing, togate, each resting an inner hand upon a round shield set on the ground and grasping a spear with the outer hand. Between them, a simpulum appears to the left and a lituus to the right, the symbols of their priestly offices. The letter X appears below each figure, indicating their membership in the equestrian order. The reverse legend C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT encircles the composition, identifying the two heirs as sons of Augustus, consuls-designate, and princes of the youth. |
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| Reverse lettering | C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT (Translation: Caius et Lucius Caesares Augusti Filii Consules Designati, Principes Juventutis. Gaius and Lucius, sons of Caesar Augustus, consuls elect, princes of the youth.) |
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| Additional information |
This denarius was struck to publicly install Gaius and Lucius as Augustus's chosen successors — a calculated dynastic advertisement following the humiliation of having no direct male heir. Both boys were adopted from Agrippa and Julia in 17 BC, and Augustus moved quickly to give them quasi-constitutional standing: Gaius received the title *princeps iuventutis* first, with Lucius following two years later. Neither survived to rule. Lucius died at Massilia in AD 2, Gaius from a wound sustained in Armenia in AD 4 — leaving Augustus to turn, reluctantly, to Tiberius.