The Roman Empire
Armenia Capta Issues
Denarius, Lugdunum 15-13 BC, AR 3.82 g. AVGVSTVS – DIVI·F Bare head r. Rev. Two soldiers (or Drusus and Tiberius) with parazonium offering branches to Augustus seated l. on a platform; in exergue, IMP·X. C 133. BMC 445. RIC 165a. CBN 1366.
In exceptional condition for the issue. A lovely portrait and an
attractive old cabinet tone. Extremely fine Ex Triton sale XI, 2008, Prideaux, 833.

When Augustus departed for Gaul in 16 B.C. he would not see Rome again for three years. During his lengthy absence he re-organised Gaul, established the Imperial mint at Lugdunum and oversaw victorious campaigns in the Alpine provinces. Ostensibly, he had come to the province in person because a Germanic invasion followed by looting, but it is the current view that the German attacks were not as serious as some ancient sources suggest, and that they were merely a convenient pretext for the emperor’s presence. On this denarius, Augustus’ adopted sons Tiberius and Nero Claudius Drusus are shown in military garb, each holding a parazonium and presenting branches to their father, who sits before them on a platform. It represents the successful conclusion of their daring campaigns in 15 B.C. to annex Rhaetia and Noricum. Rome now controlled regions with invasion routes between Italy and Free Germany, and by acquiring Rhaetia the Imperial frontier was extended to the Danube. More valuable than the territorial gains was the groundwork that had been laid for the ambitious campaigns Augustus had planned for Drusus in Germany and Tiberius in Illyria. In preparation, Augustus established fifty legionary camps along the southern shore of the Rhine, built a fleet and placed Drusus in command of some 50,000 soldiers as the governor of Gaul. Drusus’ conquest of Germany began in 13 B.C. as Augustus returned to Rome and Tiberius commanded armies in Pannonia. Drusus led four daring campaigns into Germany between the Rhine and the Elbe as Tiberius brought Pannonia and Dalmatia under Roman control. When Drusus died of a tragic accident in 9 B.C., Tiberius took over the German campaign. He won a major victory, for which in the following year he was awarded a triumph, the tribunician power for five years, and a second consulship. MSG.