Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 72

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Tetrastyle round domed temple, Mars standing inside left, with legionary insignia and parazonium

Historical Note

The Temple of Mars Ultor in its tetrastyle (four-column) form. The legionary insignia inside refer to the Parthian standards housed within. The Temple of Mars Ultor was the most important religious building in the Forum of Augustus — it gave divine sanction to Augustan military power and the obligation to avenge Rome's defeats.