Augustan currency was the first example of Imperial currency that would be the norm for 300 years. Under Augustus the way coins were minted and their value changed to become the standard currency through out the empire. Roman coins are an extremely valuable artifact for historians and archaeologists as there are still many existing to give us a glimpse into the empire and its constant changes. Roman coins are also useful to help date other Roman finds, such as tombs.
Use of the scutum shield and in particular the testudo or tortoise formation was extremely effective in Roman legions for warfare; they were able to batter their enemies while being protected from attack. The scutum shield was the standard shield used by the Roman legions and like other innovations in Roman warfare made them successful conquerors and expanded the empire. Roman expansion and warfare changed the course of history.
Flavian Portrait gives us an incredibly important look into the faces of ordinary people in the Roman Empire but also the faces of emperors and politicians and those who built Rome and made it what it was. In fact after the collapse of the empire there would not be such a realistic and popular art form for ordinary people until the 15th century. The Renaissance in Italy was greatly inspired by both Roman and Greek art work. The flourishing of Roman art is an indication success of Roman culture.
Bibliography
Cartwright, Mark. “Roman Coinage.” Ancient History Encyclopaedia (2013) http://www.ancient.eu/Roman_Coinage/ (accessed June 2nd 2017)
Trentinella, Rosemarie. “Roman Portrait: The Stylistic Cycle.” Department of Greek and Roman Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ropo2/hd_ropo2.htm (accessed June 10nd 2017)
Guttman, Jon. “Roman Gladius and Scutum: Carving out an Empire.” Historynet 2010 http://www.historynet.com/roman-gladius-and-scutum-carving-out-an-empire.htm (accessed June 10th 2017)
Yale University Art Gallery. Digital Image. ArtGallery. Accessed June 12th 2017. http://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/5959
British Museum in London. Digital Image. BritishMuseum. Accessed June 12, 2017. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1214071&partId=1&searchText=augustus+tarpeia&images=on&page=1
Smart History. Digital Image, SmartHistory. Accesed June 12, 2017. https://smarthistory.org/portrait-bust-of-a-flavian-woman-fonseca-bust/
Glory and Laurels 