Divos Julius Caesar by Octavian Æ Roman Republic Sestertius 38 BC Copper Coin with Stunning Green Patina Museum Reproduction CBRS0057

Æ Copper Roman Republic Sestertius Octavian and Julius Caesar, Northern Italian mint, struck 38 B.C. References: Crawford 535/2; CRI 309; Sydenham 1336; RPC I 621. Octavian’s adoptive father, Julius Caesar, was officially consecrated in 42 BC as Divus Julius, the highest god next to Jupiter Maximus. On the very day of the games a comet was visible for seven days in the northern part of the sky, as testified by Plinius the Elder in his Natural History. The common people believed that this star represented the soul of Caesar received among the spirits of the immortal gods. On the southeastern narrow side of the Roman Forum in Rome, where the body of the murdered Caesar was cremated, a Temple for Divus Julius was built from 42 BC and dedicated 18.August 29 BC. Julius Caesar was found worthy of divinity by all parties: „He was added to the number of the gods, not only by a formal resolution, but also in the conviction of the people“ (Suetonius, Divus Julius, 88.1).