Roman Provincial, Moesia Inferior, Dionysopolis, Commodus (177-192 AD), Æ 2 Assaria

Moesia: region between Mount Hemus and the Danube, joining to Pannonia. Upper Moesia was subdued by the Romans during the reign of Augustus. Lower Moesia was inhabited by the Getae.

On coins Moesia is often personified and portrayed with a bull and a lion, representing the local legions.

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 assasinate him, after which she was exciled. 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.