Nero AE Sestertius Roman Empire 64-68 AD Copper Coin Aged with Oxidized Green Patina Museum Reproduction CBRS0082

Roma was a female deity who personified the city of Rome and more broadly, the Roman state. The earliest certain cult to dea Roma was established at Smyrna in 195 B.C., probably to mark the successful alliance against Antiochus III. In 30/29 B.C., the Koinon of Asia and Bithynia requested permission to honor Augustus as a living god. “Republican” Rome despised the worship of a living man, but an outright refusal might offend their loyal allies. A cautious formula was drawn up, non-Romans could only establish a cult for divus Augustus jointly with dea Roma. In the city of Rome itself, the earliest known state cult to dea Roma was combined with Venus at the Hadrianic Temple of Venus and Roma. This was the largest temple in the city, probably dedicated to inaugurate the reformed festival of Parilia, which was known thereafter as the Romaea after the Eastern festival in Roma’s honor. The temple contained the seated, Hellenised image of dea Roma with a Palladium in her right hand to symbolize Rome’s eternity.

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Laureate head of Nero left
Legend:
IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P P P

Reverse side
Roma, helmeted, in military dress, seated left on cuirass, holding Victory in right hand and resting left on parazonium: behind cuirass two round shields and one oblong
Legend:
ROMA S C

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