32- 39 BC Denarius Series

• Minted in 32-39 BC
• Commissioned to pay his armies and convey his promise of peace through war
• Pax Denarius

  A) bare Octavian

  B) Pax

  C) cornocopia

  D) Caesar

  E) Divi Filus

  F) Olive branch

  G) No legend - ubiquitous

  H) Youthful - Triple A

  I) Cornocopia

  J) Pax

  K) Olive branch

  L) ad locutio pose

  M) Caesar

  N) Divi Filus

  
• Pax Denarius - Cornocopia signifies natural bounty and prosperity
• Pax Denarius - Octavian is addressing troops, promising peace for the war to come
• Pax Denarius is the prescribed source but P. Zanker argues they be read in the following order like a narrative
• Pax Denarius -> Venus Denarius -> Victoria Denarius
• Venus Denarius

  A) youthful - Triple A

  B) Bare Octavian head

  C) No legend - ubiquitous

  D) Venus

  E) Weapons - protecting Octavian in war

  F) Caesar

  G) Divi Filus

  H) Venus bust

  I) Caesar

  J) Divi Filus

  K) contrapposto / athletic pose

  L) spear

  
• Venus Denarius - athletic + contrapposto liken Octavian to the Doryphoros, as well as signify his readiness for war
• Victoria Denarius

  A) bare Octavian head

  B) youthful face

  C) no legend - ubiquitous

  D) Caesar

  E) Divi Filus

  F) Caesar

  G) Divi Filus

  H) alighting on a globe

  I) Winged Victoria

  J) Winged Victoria

  K) Stamping on a globe

  L) Olive branch

  M) Heroic nude

  
• Victoria Denarius - Octavian (through war) is ushering in an era of peace and prosperity to war through the expansion of its empire. Shown as he holds a palm frond.
• Octavian has been true to his word of peace it seems, abiding by Mos Maorium value of fides