Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 146

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing left, holding vexillum in right hand and parazonium on left shoulder

Historical Note

Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) was the divine patron of Augustus's Forum, vowed before the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC to avenge Caesar's murder and finally dedicated in 2 BC. The vexillum (military standard) Mars carries may specifically allude to the Parthian standards recovered in 20 BC, which were housed in the Temple of Mars Ultor. The parazonium is a short sword worn by senior Roman commanders as a badge of rank.