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Roman Empire

Ruler: Germanicus (posthumously under Caligula) adopted by Tiberius, father of Caligula
Held Office: born 15 BC, died 19 AD
Denomination: AE As
Mint: Rome
Date of Issue: 37-38 AD
Obverse: Bare head of Germanicus, left. "GERMANICVS CAESAR TI. AVGVST F. DIVI. AVG. N."
Reverse: "C. CAESAR AVG. GERMANICVS PON M. TR. POT." around large "SC"
Reference: RCVM 1821, RIC (Gaius) 35
Weight: 11 gms
Diameter: 26.9 mm
Comment: Obv: "GERMANICVS CAESAR TIBERIVS AVGVSTVS FIDELIS DIVINE AVGVSTVS NATVS?" = Germanicus Caesar Tiberius Augustus, faithful, born of the divine Augustus Rev: "CLAVDIVS? CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS PONTIFEX TRIBVNVS POTESTAS" = Claudius? Caesar Augustus Germanicus, High Priest, Tribune Potestas.

GERMANICUS

  • Germanicus was Born in AD 4 elder son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia and straight away adopted by Tiberius.
  • He marries Agrippina Senior, the daughter of Agrippa and Julia. They had nine children, one of whom was the future emperor, Caligula.
  • He served in the Rhine army from 14 to 16 AD, leading campaigns into Germany in successive campaigns and recovering two of the three legionary standards lost by Varus in the Teutoburg forest.
  • In 17 AD he became Tiberius's colleague as consul and hence his chosen successor.
  • He visited the East but fell out with Gnaeus Piso, the new governor of Syria.
  • He fell ill and died at Antioch on 10 October 19 AD. Piso was a suspect and was tried for murder and forced to commit suicide.

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R10450