Gaius (Caligula), 37-41. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 35 mm, 22.57 g, 7 h), Rome, 37-38. C•CAESAR•AVG•GERMANICVS•PON•M•TR•POT• Laureate head of Gaius to left.
Rev. ADLOCVT / COH Gaius, togate, standing left on low platform, sella castrensis behind him, extending his right hand and addressing five helmeted soldiers, standing right, holding shields and aquilae. BMC 33. CBN 45. Cohen 1. RIC 32. Somewhat smoothed and with some traces of corrosion
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of an East German physicist, assembled before 2000.
The striking reverse of this coin depicts the emperor standing on a platform, addressing his assembled troops in a formal
adlocutio cohortium. Upon his accession, Gaius already had a strong reputation for being 'raised in the camp' during his father Germanicus’ campaigns - hence his nickname Caligula ('Little Soldier’s Boot'). It was only natural, then, that he would maintain good relations with the legions.
As a ritual, the
adlocutio not only signaled to the Roman public that the emperor and his troops stood ready to defend the empire against foreign enemies, but it also served as a powerful message to any potential opposition: the ruler could count on his army’s loyalty to protect his throne from internal threats.
