Imperial Denarius of Lugdunum Issued by Augustus

ca. 2 BCE-11 CE

11/16 in. (diameter) x 1/16 in. (1.8 cm x 0.1 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• denarii - Roman silver coins originally valued at ten asses, later debased in value and purity; in use from the late 3rd century BCE until the mid-3rd century CE.
• Imperial - Refers to the period in history and the style of art that developed when the Roman Republic ceased to exist and Rome expanded its territory and was ruled by emperors. The period is generally considered to begin with Octavian's victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, and to last through the rule of the Severans. For later emperors, see "Late Antique." For the period and culture of the Holy Roman Empire, use "Holy Roman Imperial." Note that some classifications include the Tetrarchic, Constantinian, and the Holy Roman Empire in the "Roman Empire."
• ladles - Spoonlike utensils with a deep bowl and a relatively long handle used for lifting, conveying, or serving cream, soup, punch, or other liquid food.
• litui - Hooked bronze trumpets of the Etruscans and Romans, consisting of a slender tube with a cylindrical bore, terminating in an upturned bell. The term continued in use in postclassical times, meaning crumhorns or cornetts, though in the 18th century it denoted brass instruments.
• shields - General term for armor pieces carried in the hand or on the arm, used to parry an opponent's blows or provide shelter from projectiles. They have existed worldwide throughout history in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials.
• silver - Pure metallic element having symbol Ag and atomic number 47; a malleable, ductile, white metal with characteristic sheen, considered a precious metal. Silver is widely distributed throughout the world, occurring rarely as metallic silver (in Peru, Norway) but more often as silver-gold alloys and silver ore. Today silver is obtained as a byproduct in the refinement of gold, lead, copper, or zinc ores. Silver was smelted from the ore galena as early as 3800 BCE. As a pure metal, silver is second to gold in malleability and ductility, can be polished to a highly reflective surface, and used -- typically in an alloy -- in jewelry, coinage, photography, mirrors, electrical contacts, and tableware.
• spears - Simple staff weapons having a sharp-pointed head and no auxiliary blades or points, used both in warfare and hunting since ancient times in many cultures and regions. Various forms have been designed for thrusting or throwing or both.