2016-03-21 Mon

Coins of the Twelve Caesars, a group of Roman rulers are considered among the most admired ancient coins. Many historians have written about these rulers through various biographies.

During this time period a civil war broke out and a powerful empire emerged which went on to dominate the Mediterranean world. Coin collectors always dream of collecting the entire set of 12 Caesars even though it could be a bit costly affair.

Let’s take a quick look at the Twelve Caesars.

Julius Caesar and his successor, Augustus (Octavian) were the most popular emperors who established the empire. Tiberius reigned during the life of Christ. Caligula, Claudius, and Nero are eccentric emperors and who comprise the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. The civil war erupted in the summer of A.D. 67 and this dynasty fell. After the prolonged war which went on for 2 years, four men — Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian — were hailed emperor by the senate in the year 69.

Last to rule in the period of the Twelve Caesars were the three emperors who formed the Flavian Dynasty. At the end of the civil war Vespasian came to power which was maintained by his two sons, Titus and Domitian. After the murder of Domitian, the period of the Twelve Caesars came to an end and a new era of Roman history began.