Germanic war of Domitianus

On some denarii and aurei of Domitian, a splendid reverse, of an incomparable style, is presented to us: Germania, in attitude of lament, holding his forehead, with discovered chest, in sign of despair, as the Gallic women done it, at the time of the war of Gaul (*), the broken spear completes the picture: Germania is on the ground...

In fact, the historic reality is other: Domitian defeat only one Germanic tribe, the Pussies...

Dion even says, that he didn't met any enemy during his absurd expedition against the German. Tacit also signals, that he paid some individuals to incarnate the Germanic prisoners at the time of the celebration of his triumph.

However here, Domitian is honored with the title of Germanicus (winner of the Germans) and has a bust decorated with an aegis, what is made rare enough in the Roman money coinage.

Silver denarius (Ag 3g25), Rome, May to September 85, R/IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP, RIC 72 var (aureus) , Cohen - [Cohen 188 var. (aureus) et Cohen 177 var (silver medaillion of 5 denarius], BMC -, RSC-, Collection Frederic Weber


Denarius (3,56 g ). 85 AD. R/ IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POTES P R , RIC II 66a.; BMCRE 82; Cohen 181. Numismatic Ars Classica	Denarius (3,38 g). 85 AD. R/ IMP VIIII COS XI CENSORIA POTESTAT PP , RIC II 66b; Cohen 183. Busso Peus

These denarii of Domitian were probably strike just after he reprimanded severely the monetary workshops for the bad quality of their currencies. Indeed, all details show that this currency has undergone a big attention, the portrait is remarkable, and the reverse, not of the all stereotyped, is worthy of the chef d'oeuvres of the classic Greek numismatics. This iconographic type of the reverse will be taken on the denarius of Trajan, celebrating the victories in Dacia ... with less artistic success!


Aureus (7,70 g). 85 AD. R/IMP VIIII COS XI CENSORIA POTESTAT PP , RIC II 66b; BMCRE 81; Cohen 182 Numismatic Ars Classica	Aureus (7,64 g). 88-89 AD. R/ GERMANICVS COS XIIII , RIC II 127; BMCRE 143; Cohen 148. Classical Numismatic Group

Other coins of emperor Domitian celebrate this Germanic war, it is the case of rare sestercius:


Sestercius (26,64 g). 85 AD. R/ GERMANIA CAPTA, RIC II 278a; BMCRE 325; Cohen 136. Classical Numismatic Group	Sestercius (27,38 g). 85 AD. R/ SC, RIC II 258; BMCRE 325; Cohen 488. Classical Numismatic Group


Sestercius (30,02 g ). 85 AD. R/ SC, RIC II 284; BMCRE 339; Cohen 484. Classical Numismatic Group	Sestercius (23,21 g). 85 AD. R/ SC, RIC II 403; BMCRE 465; Cohen 514. Classical Numismatic Group


Sestercius (26,09 g ). 85 AD. R/ SC, RIC II 286 var.; BMCRE 335; Cohen 504. Numismatic Ars Classica	Sestercius (26,16 g). 86 AD. R/ SC, RIC II 288 var.; Cohen 501 var. Numismatic LANZ

(*) C. Julius Caesar. Caesar's Gallic War, Book VII, chapter 47 : (Battle of Gergovia)

“The matrons begin to cast their clothes and silver over the wall, and, the uncovered breast , leaned over the defensive wall, and holding out their open hands, they implored the Romans to save them, and not to slaughter, as they had made to Avaricum, the women even and the children...”

Pay attention to the fact, this practice of women to discover her chest, when they plead for leniency, is also meet in the literature of Ireland .

The Germanic war of Domitian