Denarius Portraying Julius Caesar
In Roman civil war, Julius Caesar defeated Pompey, who had captured Jerusalem in 63 B.C. Rome’s Senate named Caesar dictator in 45 B.C. This silver Roman denarius, minted 44 B.C.—the year Caesar died—portrays him with the legend “Caesar, Perpetual Dictator” (obverse). The reverse features fasces and axe—authority symbols—with clasped hands, a globe, and the caduceus, Mercury’s winged serpent staff (also a symbol of peacemaking). The inscription names the mint director. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship ended the Roman Republic. Later imperial titles included his surname (Phil 4:22).
Matt 22:17, 21, Luke 2:1, John 19:12, Acts 17:7, Acts 25:8–12, 21, Phil 4:22
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