

Tiberius denarius upgrade#
It was decreed by Augustus that Tiberius upgrade to a more prominent spouse, namely Augustus’ daughter and only biological child, Julia. When Agrippa died in 12 BC, Tiberius moved up on the succession candidate list. In 14 BC, the couple provided the new Empire with yet another dynast, Drusus Julius Caesar. To that end, around 19 BC Tiberius married Vipsania Agrippina, the daughter of Augustus’ trusted friend and greatest general, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Besides candidates from his own Julian clan, Augustus also groomed additional prospects from the Claudian gens, particularly Tiberius. While Tiberius was still a toddler, Livia divorced in order to marry the rising military and political star Octavian, who later emerged as Rome’s Augustus.Īugustus transformed Rome into an autocracy, and grappled with the necessity of establishing his succession.

The latter appears on this coin’s verso in the guise of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. Tiberius’ biological father and mother were Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. That relationship was not by blood, but by adoption. The accompanying inscription, TI CΛESΛR DIVI ΛVG F ΛVGVSTVS, advertises that Tiberius is the son of Augustus. In any case, it represents a quintessential issue for Tiberius, whose laureate bust appears on the obverse. For some, it might even be considered a religious relic. Although not certain, the most commonly cited coin in this context is this denarius struck by Rome’s second Emperor, Tiberius (42 BC – 37 AD).Īs such, the so-called “tribute penny” is highly sought after for its numismatic value and historical importance. As a visual aid, Jesus employed a Roman coin. Owner Comments: Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.Īccording to Matthew the Apostle, Jesus spoke these words in response to the question of whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome.
