[Usyd_Classics_Events] USYD Classics Research Seminar April 13th: Ryan Strickler on Vespasian

[Tamara Neal]

Dear Friends of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Sydney,

We are delighted to invite you to the fourth presentation of Semester 1, 2026 in our Classics and Ancient History research seminar series.

April 13th (Mon, 12.15pm UTC+11)
V. Gordon Childe Boardroom (Level 2, Madsen Building)
Chair Ben Brown

Ryan Strickler  (University of Newcastle)
Pecunia non olet: Images of Power in the Coinage of Vespasian

Zoom link: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/89574510422


In 69 CE Titus Flavius Vespasianus, or Vespasian for short, brought an end to the tumultuous year of four emperors following the death of Nero by defeating Vitellius. A man of modest means taking power during a period of significant instability, Vespasian's longevity and tenure were far from guaranteed. He was the first non-Julio-Claudian emperor to take the reins of the principate, and in turn was also responsible for establishing a new, Flavian, dynasty.

This paper considers how Vespasian solidified his reign and conveyed his legitimacy across the expanses of the Roman Empire, in particular through the medium of coinage. In this paper I argue that Vespasian's numismatic programme was part of a larger campaign explicitly designed to demonstrate Vespasian's right and destiny to rule, namely promoting himself as Fortuna's favourite over and against his rivals, and through his military prowess as demonstrated through the conquest of Judaea. To do this, I will consider the numismatic evidence in conversation with literary evidence from Suetonius, Tacitus, and Josephus, to consider purpose of these messages and the extent of their reach.

All the best and looking forward to seeing you there.

Tamara


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DR TAMARA NEAL FHEA | Senior Lecturer in Ancient Greek (Education Focused) | FASS Academic Advisor | Accredited University-wide Peer Reviewer of Teaching<https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/16284/pages/12-dot-1-peer-review-of-teaching-module-overview>
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Classics & Ancient History | School of Humanities│Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
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