Single Coin Pack - Vespasian

Product History

Denarius of Vespasian - Obverse - bust of Vespasian: Reverse - Vespasian's sons Domitian and Titus. Both the obverse and the reverse of this coin were used to portray what Vespasian and his sons looked like.

Vespasian was born near Reate, a city northeast of Rome. His full name was Titus Flavius Vespasianus. He became a senator and, during A.D. 43 and 44, commanded troops in the conquest of Britain. Vespasian served as a legate to the second Legion Augusta who conquered such warlike tribes as the Durotriges of Dorset in their well-fortified hill forts of Maiden Castle and Hod Hill. In A.D. 69 the emperor Otho died. The army that was fighting with Vespasian in the Middle East occupied Rome and proclaimed him Emperor. Vespasian organised a lot of building in Rome. He built a forum and the Temple of Peace and the Colosseum, the largest outdoor theatre of ancient Rome.

The Colosseum was a huge arena that could hold up to 50,000 spectators on marble and wooden benches. Until A.D. 404 the Colosseum was the site for mock naval battles, combat between gladiators, battles between men and wild animals and other public entertainment. When Vespasian died in A.D. 79 the Colosseum was not finished. His sons finished building it in A.D. 82.

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