The Principate In Research

In this essay, I will explore how useful coins are to our understanding of the Principate. It is necessary to define the term “useful” in order to develop and discuss such ideas therefore I will be defining “useful” as the extent to which a coin can tell us something beyond the literary level. For instance, our ancient sources are proficient at giving us historical narratives but are often incapable of expressing popular sentiments. As such it is necessary to consider what a coin patently depicts, how this symbolism connects to the accounts of the ancient writers and how this is interpreted by modern scholars. To accomplish such an investigation, I will investigate the coins of principes who founded dynasties and those who end our period. Considering coinage as a historical source is a complex issue. A coin cannot tell a narrative in the same way a historical writer can and much must be inferred from its portraiture and symbols. However, as Grant states, it is the intricate detail with which coins were struck that leads us to believe that they were intended to be read and looked at. Thus, it is integral to our discussion of the history of the Principate that we examine imperial coinage.
It was necessary for Augustus, after Actium, to solidify his rule. Thus, we are told by Tacitus and Cassius Dio that senators and high-ranking equestrians were forbidden from entering the
A coin from Trajan’s accession the legend “PROVIDENTIA SENATUS” which Bennet states was to show the sharing of powers between Trajan and the Senate. Figure 5 is a silver denarius of Trajan depicting on the reverse “Nerva handing Trajan a globe.” This symbolises the handing over of power to Trajan and the lawful continuance of the Principate. This contrasts with the violent and bloody civil war of AD68-69. Dio tells us that Trajan recalled “…all the money that was badly