In line with the theme I have discussed concerning “biblical coins” we have the collecting theme of “Judaea Capta” series coins which commemorate the Roman defeat of Judaea. These coin types were struck in the name of Vespasian and his two sons Titus and Domitian. Because of the direct link between Vespasian and Judea all of his coins make excellent candidates for a collection that has as it’s focus “biblical coins”.
A "Judaea Capta" Denarius of Vespasian
Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus), ruled as Emperor of Rome from 69 – 79 AD and was father to Titus (ruled as emperor from 79-81 AD) and Domitian (ruled as emperor from 81-96 AD)
Vespasian was the military General over Judea. He suppressed the Jewish Revolt (known to the Jews of the day as the First Roman War). He was first appointed to deal with the “Jewish problem” and conduct the war in Judea in 66 AD and in 70 AD brought an end to the “war” and as a consequence razed the city of Jerusalem. An eye witness account by Flavius Josephus reports that by the time the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, some 1,100,000 Jews had died and another 100,000 were taken into captivity, most of which would soon die from starvation or in the Roman theaters.
He later rebuilt the temple and dedicated it to Jupiter – an insulting act to the Jews. Vespasian was not very religious and thought the deification of the emperor upon his death was inane. Upon his death bed, he jokingly said, “Oh my, I think I am becoming a god.”
Coins listed on our website of Vespasian range in price from $35 to over $200.
Tags: Ancient Coins, biblical coins, Jewish, Judaea Capta, Judea Capta, Vespasian