Ancient Roman Coins

During the time when Jesus Christ was in Rome, the Roman Empire was under the rule of Emperor Tiberius. Tiberius issued a Tribute Penny during his reign. In fact, the Tribute Penny has become significant not just in Roman history, but in religious history as well.

The Tribute Penny was a silver coin that was used to pay the annual tribute imposed on the Jews by the Romans. It featured an image of Tiberius on the obverse side, and the inscription "Tiberius Caesar Divi Augusti Filius Augustus." Moreover, this translates to "Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus." On the reverse side is a seated female figure, commonly believed to be the goddess Pax, the personification of peace in Roman mythology. However, some historians believe that the seated female figure is a depiction of Tiberius' mother, Livia Drusilla. This is a subject of debate among scholars,

Emperor Vitellius' lavish lifestyle was known throughout the Roman Empire. He was the Roman Emperor for only 8 short months from 69 AD to his death in 79 AD. In fact, he is known as the shortest-reigning emperor of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Aulus Vitellius was born in AD 15 and came from a wealthy family in northern Italy. After the civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors, he was crowned emperor. Moreover, his reign was marked by conflict and unrest. Emperor Vitellius was eventually defeated by the forces of Vespasian, who became the next emperor. Vitellius' rule is often considered a low point in the history of the Roman Empire and is known for its excess and lack of stability.

Gambling and gluttony, two vices associated with Vitellius, would be crucial to his future. Emperor Galba made the unpopular choice to designate him as governor of Lower Germany in 68

Rome and Carthage engaged in three Punic wars. Punic, a late variety of Phoenician, is a language that is used to refer to Carthage or the Carthaginians. Hannibal's route across the alps during the second Punic war is probably the most remembered. But, for a long time, these two major powers in the western Mediterranean fought for supremacy. In fact, huge losses on both sides occurred.

The Mediterranean island of Sicily and its surrounding waters served as the primary theater of the First Punic War, which took place over a 23-year period (264–241 BC). Meanwhile, they also fought in North Africa. After such a prolonged struggle the first Punic war ended in a loss for Carthage. However, Carthaginians were still itching to fight the Romans. Carthage suffered extensive economic losses in Sicily. They, therefore, had to come up with a plan to strengthen its faltering economy.

When talking about groups of people in ancient times some people wonder "who were the Thracians?" It is curious that many don't know much about them even though they were an Indo-European people who dominated a large area of Eastern Europe. They inhabited what today is modern day Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. In fact, they occupied this area for much of antiquity.

We can find some of the earliest literary references of the Thracians from the Iliad. The epic poem of Homer referenced the Trojan War and King Rhesus who was a local Thracian ruler. The problem about Thracians is that they were divided between multiple tribes. They all had their own tribal identity and basically did things differently. Interestingly, The Thracians did not describe themselves by name. The term Thrace and Thracians were names given to them by the Greeks.

As far as the history of rulers of the Byzantine Empire, Tiberius II was a good emperor. Tiberius II ruled as an Eastern Roman emperor from 574 to 582. He ruled Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty and proved himself to be a capable administrator that was well loved by his people.

During the Justinian Dynasty Tiberius II rose to power in 574 when Justin II started to have a mental breakdown. Justin the II had adopted Tiberius as his own son and proclaimed him Caesar. In fact, in 578 the dying Justin II gave Tiberius the title of Augustus and becoming co-emperor alongside him. Tiberius became sole ruler less than two weeks later. Subsequently, Tiberius took the regnal name of "Constantine" under which he reigned until his death.  

Roman Emperor Caligula is remembered as being the cruelest roman emperor. No one can say exactly why he was so cruel. Some speculate, that it was because he fell ill of syphilis 6 month into his reign. Whatever the reason, he never recovered mentally and became a ruthless leader.

Caligula's cruelty lasted during his four-year reign from 37-41 AD. In fact, he became so ruthless that no one was safe, including his family. Some even refer to Caligula as the mad emperor. In short, his cruelty, sadism, extravagance, and sexual perversion was nothing short of the actions of an insane tyrant. For instance, he made his horse a member of the senate and slept with or killed every member of his own family.

There are others who believe Caligula's excessive cruelty is exaggerated

Mark 12:42, 44

New Testament has reference to Biblical-Era Judean Bronze Prutahs coins. These coins had a more common name due to a very well known biblical story.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius, commonly referred to as Trajan Decius, ruled Ancient Rome from 249 to 251 AD. Roman Emperor Trajan Decius wanted to restore Rome to its former glory and ancient traditions. Therefore, he decreed the Decius' edict. This was a proclamation for Empire-wide loyalty. The Decius' edict meant that all Roman citizens needed to make a sacrifice to Rome's gods or face torture, execution and seizure of assets. 

Moreover, Christian belief would not allow for them to worship any other god. As a result, Emperor Trajan Decius cracked down harshly on those he believed were undermining the ancient traditions of Rome. Consequently, they were persecuted and tortured. Even Pope Fabian was killed! By the end of Decius'

Pontius Pilate was Governor of Judea from 26-36 AD under the Roman emperor Tiberius. He is one of the most infamous men in history because he gave the command to have Jesus Christ crucified.

The New Testament describes Pontius Pilate as a wavering judge. It says that Pilate initially exonerated Jesus before bending to the will of the crowd, and condemning him to death. But non-Biblical sources paint a much darker picture of the Governor of Judea. His reign was corrupt and full of bribery. Although this was typical behavior for a Roman Ruler, Pilate was more ruthless than others as he also willfully defied the Jewish people's traditions.

Pontius Pilate Bronze Prutah

When people ask "Was Marcus Aurelius on a coin?" The answer is a simple - yes. In fact, most Roman emperors were commemorated by having their likeness on a coin. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor from 161 to 180. He was known for continuing Rome's prosperity and dealing with German tribes on the northern borders. He was also known as a philosopher. Above all, he is actually best remembered for his "rule driven by reason."

Marcus Aurelius was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors. The last emperor of the Pax Romana. This was an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. What made Marcus so famous was his guidance by wisdom and virtue. This separated Marcus from the majority of past leaders all the way to the present. 

Across all the centuries Marcus Aurelius is perhaps one of the most