Ästhetik der Herrschaft. Nominalspezifische Kommunikation auf Münzen der römischen Kaiserzeit

This paper highlights the significance of the different materials for the various forms of the representation of Roman emperors on coins. Using the example of gold coinage, it becomes clear that this lustrous and valuable metal played a special role in accentuating the ruler image in accord with the ideas and values of this period. In addition, during the crisis of the third century, a new exalted ruler image was articulated by adopting forms of representation with divine and heroic connotations, especially on gold denominations. During this period of negotiation about the aims and scope of rulership, the stylisation of ruler images on precious metal coins possibly took on modes of representation from other pictorial media that on coins were reserved for gods. In this way, the design principles and forms of representation common for the medium of Roman imperial coinage were expanded in the time of multiple critical threats to the empire.