7 - Dynasties and identities

Summary

So far we have seen how our dynasts identified themselves with the Principate, using the visual language of the Augustan revolution in much the same way as other members of the Roman elite. We have also seen evidence for their contacts with other friendly kings, most notably Juba II and Ptolemy of Mauretania. Much of the visual language which they used probably left a large proportion of the British audience completely mystified. However, not all the imagery was impenetrable, and much of the coinage of the later dynasts was more ‘open’, communicating clearer messages to the populace about how they wished to be perceived. This chapter is concerned with the additional strategies developed by our dynasts to set themselves apart from their peers and to establish their authority. The evidence to be discussed is fairly broad and spans themes including ‘self-image’, burial, sacrifice and the foundation of oppida. In each case the imagery from their dynastic coinage will be linked to a variety of other forms of archaeological evidence. However, to start off the chapter we must again return to Rome to understand a little bit more of what Tincomarus or Tasciovanus may have witnessed there as children, had they been there – which I guess they had.

Experience in Rome

Living in the city would have been a feast for the senses.