Roman Empire, Commodus (177-192 AD), Æ Sestertius

Commodus: Emperor of Rome from 177-192 AD. He was extremely proud of his physical prowess, imagined he was the God Hercules and entered the arena to fight as a gladiator. In 182 AD his sister Lucilla was part of a conspiracy to assassinate him, after which she was exiled. He was finally assassinated in 192 AD. His reign with co-Emperor Marcus Aurelius is considered the end of a golden period of peace in the Roman Empire (Pax Romana).

His coinage reflects both traditional imperial themes and his increasingly personal self-image. Earlier issues often show standard Roman virtues such as Victory, Liberalitas, Providentia and Pax, while later coins increasingly emphasise Commodus’ association with Hercules. Some issues depict Hercules’ attributes, such as the club and lion skin, linking the emperor directly with the heroic demigod. His coins were struck in gold, silver and bronze, including aurei, denarii, sestertii, dupondii and asses, and provide an important visual record of how Commodus wished to present his power and divine identity.

The sestertius was the large brass denomination of the Roman imperial coinage, usually weighing around 25–28 grams and measuring 30–35 mm in diameter. Its broad flan gave engravers ample space for some of the finest imperial portraits and most elaborate reverse designs in Roman numismatics.