Crete. Knossos. Augustus 27 BC-AD 14. Aeschinus Caesaris Libertusiter and Plotius Pleb, duoviri.
Bronze Æ

21 mm, 5,78 g

AV[GVSTVS], bare head right / [AESCHINO CAES] L ITER PLOTIVS PLEB [IIVIR], RO MA, Roma standing left, holding Nike and transverse sceptre.

Very Fine

RPC I 978.

Octavian, also known as Augustus, was a prominent Roman statesman and military leader who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born in 63 BC in Rome, he was the great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Octavian's political journey began when he was named Caesar's heir in his will after Caesar's assassination in 44 BC. Aligning himself with Mark Antony and Lepidus, he formed the powerful Second Triumvirate, seeking vengeance for Caesar's death by defeating his assassins. As conflicts arose within the Triumvirate, Octavian emerged as the dominant figure. The alliance between Octavian and Antony collapsed into a bitter civil war, culminating in the decisive Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where Octavian emerged victorious. In 27 BC, Octavian relinquished his extraordinary powers and accepted the title "Augustus" from the Senate, marking the inception of the Roman Empire. Though he held the title of princeps (first citizen), Augustus effectively became the first Roman Emperor. Under Augustus' rule, the Roman Empire experienced an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. He introduced various reforms to strengthen the state and initiated extensive building projects across the empire, leaving a lasting architectural legacy. Augustus' reign, which lasted for 41 years until his death in AD 14, marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the beginning of the Roman Empire. His ability to consolidate power, navigate complex political waters, and maintain stability earned him admiration and secured his position as one of Rome's most influential leaders.