Vespasian (AD 69-79). AE sestertius (34mm, 26.48 gm, 5h).NGC VF 5/5 - 2/5, smoothing. Lugdunum, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head of Vespasian right, globe at point of truncation / IVDAEA-CAPTA, palm tree in center, Vespasian (on left) standing right in military dress, grounded spear in right hand, parazonium cradled in left, left foot on helmet, Jewess (on right) seated right on cuirass, right arm on knee, left hand propping head in attitude of mourning; SC in exergue. RIC II.1 1134. Hendin 1543. The Judaea Capta sestertii are part of the propaganda campaign touting Vespasian's victory in the Jewish War. The figure of Judaea is shown in an attitude of mourning, while the emperor stands behind in a display of might. Such images, while supremely brutal to modern eyes, were to the Romans justified and indeed glorious - the rebellious Jews having broken faith with their overlords and killed tens of thousands of Roman soldiers and civilians. The IVDAEA CAPTA propaganda helped consolidate Vespasian's hold on power in the wake of the disastrous civil wars of AD 69.

HID09801242017

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