What Is Tiberius's Legacy

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Roman Coin Paper: Tiberius Sestertius
This coin was issued under the emperor Tiberius, who reigned from AD 14 to 37. Tiberius was born to Augustus' wife Livia from a previous marriage. Eventually, since Augustus lacked a true heir, Tiberius was named his successor in AD 13. While Tiberius, living in Augustus' shadow, did not accomplish much as an emperor, his main legacy was continuing the ideas and work of Augustus.
Following both a tradition of emphasizing lineage and a preservation of family, Tiberius would take great time and care to both preserve the legacy of Augustus, and his connection to Augustus through his mother Livia. This particular coin shows this motivation. On the obverse, with consultation of the Senate (S.C.), Tiberius claims the titles of Caesar (CAESAR), which represents the physical inheritance of the emperor, Augustus (AVGVST), the title of emperor first taken by Octavian, Pontimus Maximus (PM), the chief priest of the roman state, and Tribunica Potestas (TR POT), which is a title left over from the …show more content…

The reverse depicts a mule drawn carriage with the inscription, S.P.Q.R IVILAE AVGVSE, which were honors decreed to Livia, Augustus' wife and Tiberius' mother. The S.P.Q.R specifically refers to the senate and the people of Rome, while the IVILAE AVGVSTA refers to the name given to Livia after being adopted into the Julian family in Augustus' will.3 One reasoning for referencing Livia is the fact that she is the connecting piece of the succession. Continuing in Augustus' obsession of his heir and successor, Tiberius would want to establish his lineage to Augustus through Livia, as Tiberius was not Augustus' biological son, but rather his step-son through Livia. Another reason to honor Livia is because of her status within the empire. As wife and mother of emperors, Livia is widely recognized throughout the empire for a model of family, honor, and