Bronze Sestertius with images of Caligula on both sides.

CultureRoman
Titles
  • Bronze Sestertius with images of Caligula on both sides.
  • Sestertius with image of Caligula
  • Caligula Sestertius
Date37–41 AD
Circulated inRoman Empire
MediumBronze
Dimensions3/16 × 1 3/8 dia. in. (0.5 × 3.5 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Isabel B. Wilson
Object number2004.1353
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
200 Jamail Atrium
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Antiquities
Object Type
Description

Roman literature has established that Emperor Caligula proclaimed himself a god and erected a golden statue of himself in a temple in the Capitolium in Rome. According to his personal correspondence, he also intended to place his golden image in the great temple of Jerusalem. Ancient inscriptions provide evidence that cults worshipped Caligula as a god in eastern parts of the Roman Empire.


 This bronze sestertius, an ancient Roman coin, combines the classic good looks of portraits of this ruler's dynasty with his own well-known features. In this way, Caligula distinguished himself as a descendent of gods and rulers as well as a god/ruler in his own right.


 


Provenance[Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., Chicago, by 2004]; purchased by MFAH, 2004.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
ADLOCVT COH, without S C,
Stamped on obverse: "C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PONMTR POT"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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