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Dupondius - Domitian VIRTVTI AVGVSTI S C, Virtus
| Issuer | Roman Imperial Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 87 |
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| Value | 1 Dupondius = 1/8 Denarius |
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|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PER P P (Translation: Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus, Consul Tertium Decimum, Censor Perpetuus, Pater Patriae. Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar, Domitian, emperor (Augustus), conqueror of the Germans, consul for the 13th time, censor for life, father of the nation.) |
| Reverse description | The personification of Virtus, the goddess of military valour, depicted standing to the right in martial attire, her right foot resting upon a helmet as a symbol of conquest. In her right hand she holds a spear, and in her left a parazonium (a short military sword), attributes emblematic of Roman martial virtue. The legend VIRTVTI AVGVSTI flanks the figure, while the senatorial authorisation mark S C (Senatus Consultum) appears in the field, confirming this issue as a bronze denomination sanctioned by the Senate. |
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| Additional information |
Domitian's VIRTVTI AVGVSTI issues belong to a period of aggressive self-promotion following his Danubian campaigns against the Chatti and Dacians in the mid-80s. The emperor claimed a triumph in 83 AD over the Chatti and awarded himself the cognomen Germanicus — claims that ancient sources, particularly Tacitus, treated with open contempt. Coinage invoking military virtue served a pointed political purpose for a ruler whose battlefield credentials were disputed even in his own lifetime.