Cilicia. Augusta. Julia Augusta (Livia, mother of Tiberius) AD 22-23.
Bronze Æ

17 mm, 3,25 g

Draped bust right / AVΓOVCTANΩN, Capricorn left, holding globe; six-rayed star above.

Very Fine

RPC I 4007; Karbach, Augusta 7; SNG BN 1891; SNG Copenhagen 69; SNG von Aulock 5531-2.

Livia Drusilla, also known as Julia Augusta, was a prominent figure in ancient Rome and the wife of Emperor Augustus. She was born in 58 BC in the Roman Republic and later became a powerful and influential woman during the early Roman Empire. Livia was first married to Tiberius Claudius Nero and had a son, Tiberius, from that union. After her husband's death, she married Octavian, who later became Emperor Augustus, in 38 BC. As Augustus' wife, Livia played a crucial role in his political career, supporting him in his rise to power and participating in various political activities. Livia was known for her intelligence, charm, and political acumen, which earned her respect and admiration. She was deeply involved in the affairs of state, and her opinions were highly valued by Augustus. Livia's reputation in history has been influenced by conflicting accounts, as some sources depict her as manipulative and ambitious, while others praise her as a model Roman matron and advisor. Regardless of these varying portrayals, Livia Drusilla remains a significant figure in Roman history and a symbol of the influential role women could play in ancient Rome. She passed away in AD 29, having lived through a transformative period in Roman history.