Julius Caesar Denarius (48-46 BC) - A Coin of Conquest, Legacy and Divine Heritage

The Julius Caesar denarius minted between 48-46 BC is a remarkable piece of coinage that offers insight into the political and symbolic messaging that defined Caesar’s rule during the final stages of the Roman Republic. As Caesar cemented his power through military victories and the defeat of his rivals, coins like this one became a crucial tool for reinforcing his image as a legitimate and divine ruler. Featuring the head of Venus on the obverse and Aeneas carrying his father Anchises on the reverse, this denarius is rich with symbolism, linking Caesar to the divine and to the founding of Rome itself.

Obverse: Venus – The Divine Ancestress

On the obverse of the coin, we see a striking portrait of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, but also a figure closely associated with fertility and prosperity. Venus is shown with her head facing right, wearing a diadem (a symbol of royalty and power) and a necklace, with her hair rolled back into a knot behind and two locks hanging down her neck.

• Venus as Caesar’s Ancestor: The choice of Venus on the obverse is highly significant. Julius Caesar claimed descent from the goddess Venus through his patrician family, the Julii. According to Roman myth, Aeneas, a Trojan hero and son of Venus, was the ancestor of the Roman people. By featuring Venus on the coin, Caesar is reinforcing his divine lineage, portraying himself as a descendant of one of the most revered gods in the Roman pantheon. This divine ancestry helped to legitimize Caesar’s political ambitions and his eventual rise to power. In Roman society, such claims of divine heritage were a powerful tool in establishing legitimacy, as the gods were believed to favour those of noble descent.
• Symbol of Political Legitimacy: Caesar’s use of Venus as a symbol was also a direct appeal to the people of Rome, reinforcing the idea that his power was not merely the result of military might or political manoeuvring, but was also divinely sanctioned. Venus, as a goddess of prosperity and success, also carried connotations of Rome’s greatness and its future under Caesar’s rule. By associating himself with Venus, Caesar was signalling that his leadership was in harmony with the divine will, and that his reign would usher in an era of prosperity and stability for Rome.

Reverse: Aeneas – The Founder of Rome

On the reverse of the coin, we find a powerful scene depicting Aeneas, the legendary Trojan hero, walking left while carrying his father Anchises on his left shoulder and the Palladium (a sacred image of the goddess Athena, believed to be a protector of Troy) in his right hand. This scene is charged with significance, not only in terms of Rome's mythical foundation but also in its connection to Caesar's political narrative.

• Aeneas’ Role in Roman Myth: In Roman mythology, Aeneas is celebrated as the ancestor of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome. According to the legend, after the fall of Troy, Aeneas led a group of survivors to Italy, where they eventually founded the city of Rome. The depiction of Aeneas carrying his father, Anchises, on his shoulders, represents both filial piety and the continuation of a noble line. This image suggests the weight of responsibility that Aeneas bore as the protector and leader of his people, much like Caesar viewed his role in protecting and leading Rome.
• The Palladium: The Palladium in Aeneas’ hand is a key element in the narrative. According to Roman legend, the Palladium was an ancient statue of Athena that was believed to protect the city of Troy. After the fall of Troy, Aeneas took the Palladium with him to Italy, ensuring the protection and future of his people. By depicting Aeneas carrying the Palladium, the coin ties Caesar’s rule to the idea of Rome’s divine protection and unbreakable destiny. Caesar, like Aeneas, is portrayed as a leader entrusted with safeguarding the future of Rome and its sacred traditions.
• Symbolic Connection to Caesar: The image of Aeneas carrying Anchises on his shoulder suggests that Caesar, too, is carrying the weight of Rome’s past while ensuring its future. The motif of filial piety is powerful, as it emphasizes Caesar’s role as both the heir to Rome’s glorious past and its future protector. This connects Caesar not only to Rome’s legendary foundation but also to the deep cultural values that defined Roman identity, such as duty to family, to the state, and to the gods.

The inscription CAESAR on the reverse further links the scene to Julius Caesar himself, underscoring that Caesar, like Aeneas, was the rightful heir and protector of Rome’s future. This image, therefore, does more than just celebrate Rome's founding myth; it portrays Caesar as a restorer of Rome’s ancient greatness, following in the footsteps of Aeneas as a leader divinely appointed to secure the destiny of Rome.

Caesar’s Political Messaging in 48-46 BC

The denarius was minted during a critical moment in Caesar’s rise to power. By 48 BC, Caesar had already defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus and was the undisputed leader of Rome, although his path to absolute power was not yet secured. The political landscape was still volatile, and Caesar needed to reinforce his legitimacy, not only through his military victories but also through his divine right to rule. This coin is a prime example of Caesar using religious symbolism and mythological references to strengthen his claim to power. By linking himself to Venus, the mother of Aeneas, and to Aeneas himself, Caesar effectively positioned himself as a figure chosen by the gods to lead Rome. This connection to Rome's mythical founders was not just a celebration of the past; it was a calculated move to connect his reign with the divine favour and the invincible destiny that had guided Rome’s rise. Moreover, this coin also reflects Caesar’s appeal to traditional Roman values, which emphasized the importance of ancestry, divine favour, and filial duty. By aligning himself with Aeneas - who is carrying his father on his shoulder - Caesar also invoked the Roman virtue of pietas, or duty to family, the gods, and the state. This resonated deeply with the Roman populace, who valued leaders that were seen as protectors of both their heritage and their future.

A Propaganda Masterstroke

The Julius Caesar denarius of 48-46 BC is an excellent example of the use of coinage as propaganda. In an age when coins were circulated widely throughout the Roman Empire, they served as a public statement of authority and legitimacy. This coin conveyed Caesar’s divine ancestry, his connection to the legendary founders of Rome, and his role as the protector and restorer of Rome’s greatness. By invoking Venus and Aeneas, Caesar was not just a political figure but a ruler with a divine mandate, a protector of Rome’s traditions and future. The imagery of Aeneas carrying Anchises and the Palladium was particularly potent, linking Caesar to the foundational myths of Rome, suggesting that Caesar was both a defender of Rome’s past and its destined leader. This coin speaks to Caesar’s ability to use both military conquest and religious symbolism to craft his image as the rightful ruler of Rome, one who was divinely appointed to lead the city to greatness.

The Power of Divine Heritage

The Julius Caesar denarius of 48-46 BC is more than just a coin; it is a carefully crafted message of political legitimacy, divine favour, and connection to Rome’s legendary past. Through the portrayal of Venus, Aeneas, and the Palladium, Caesar used religious and mythical symbols to solidify his power and present himself as a leader chosen by the gods. As Rome teetered on the brink of its transformation from Republic to Empire, this coin became a powerful instrument in Caesar’s campaign to reshape Roman politics and his place in its history.