Hail Vitellius ... Oops, I mean Vespasian!

same here lol

 

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This Vespasian-Vitellius bust type topic is very interesting to me. I've been digging around my own scruffy Vespasian collection and looking at images online and have a few random thoughts and discoveries.

First of all, I found this on Wildwinds:

Vespasian. 69-79 AD. AR Denarius (3.39 gm). Struck 69-71 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: COS ITER TR POT, Pax seated left, holding branch and caduceus. RIC 29; RSC 94h; Sear 2285.

With permission of Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger - Auction 414, Lot 155, April 2015.

Note: There is a very large number of different versions of the emperor's head of this coin type. Some are quite young, some a bit haggard with a long pointed nose, some noses hooked, some his usual chubby self, others with hair resembling a wig.

The "wig" part is very interesting - Vespasian in a wig ala Otho? I'd love to see that. Note this is described as being issued in 69-70 A.D. Some sources I found only list 70 A.D.

From my own (scruffy) collection, below are two examples RIC 29 (as described above). The first one looks decidedly un-Vespasian to me, and although not much like Vitellius, it suggests a hybrid of the two types. The second one is more typically Vespasian, but not entirely the "classic" look. The third example is a later series (oxen on reverse) is, in my opinion, classic Vespasian. The original coin posted here by David Atherton is a better example of a Vitellius bust on a Vespasian coin - I just don't have one of these myself (someday, I hope).






So what are the characteristics of a classic Vespasian bust? This is kind of an art history question that I am not qualified to answer, but here are a few thoughts:

Neck: Vespasian's was a "bull" neck, almost as wide as his whole skull. Vitellius had a pretty thick neck, but not that thick. In my first example above, the neck is considerably thinner than the skull, if not exactly a pencil-neck (sorry, Julius Caesar). In the second example, the neck is thicker, but still not Vespasian-thick. The third example - the "classic" bust - even shows fat rolls at the neck.

Skull: Vespasian, in his classic guise, has a rectangular, blocky skull (my third example is somewhat rounder than others out there). Like a meatloaf, kind of. Vitellius has a rounder skull. The relation of the skull to the neck is perhaps one of the most easily spotted differences - in my first example above, I was half-hoping before I got the coin in hand that I'd got a really, really cheap Vitellius (the reverse type did not support this hope, alas). The main reason I consider my second example as a "transition type" is the roundness of the skull and the thin neck.

Nose/Chin: Vespasian's chin and nose are prominent but not huge. They protrude to the same degree, and tend to point towards each other, sometimes almost touching. Vitellius has a longer, more prominent nose and a slightly receding (if still double) chin. From looking at images on the web, however, the nose is perhaps the most variable feature and I think hardest to pin down (see Dr. Nachfolger's comments on noses above).

Expression: Vespasian's expressions on his coins varied, perhaps best described by Suetonius, in one of the funniest bits from an ancient historian I've encountered:

"He was well built, with strong, sturdy limbs, and the expression of one who was straining. Apropos of which a witty fellow, when Vespasian asked him to make a joke on him also, replied rather cleverly: ʺI will, when you have finished relieving yourself.ʺ (20, Loeb Classical Library translation, 1914)

This "straining" expression is found on many, but not all, of his coins. It is best seen in the third of my examples. Vitellius has more of a...how do you describe it? A kind of gourmet's superciliousness? He certainly doesn't look like a guy who would lead legions through the desert and march on Rome. Vitellius's lips are thicker, sometimes almost looking pursed (as if disapproving an overdone roasted hummingbird at a banquet) - my first example shows this, somewhat. Vespasian's lips are thinner, sometimes pursed, but in a somehow less epicurean way (whatever that means!). The eyes are another point to notice - Vespasian's are almost squinted shut sometimes (my third example above); they are wide open on Vitellius and the transition busts.

This is hardly a scientific (or even art-historical) survey. And I'm sure members out there have far better, more instructive examples. I for one would love to see them. (And especially any of Vespasian bewigged like Otho!)

 

I have nothing to offer in Vespasian looking like Otho but there are certainly Vitellius' with held over features.

 

A brilliant breakdown of the Vespasian portrait types! Bravo!

Early on, there were indeed a few coins struck that depicted Vespasian with a lot of hair. Would you call any of these a 'wig'?

Rome









Spain




Ephesus





I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

The topic has gotten me interested in the coiffure, or lack of it, on Vespasian's early denarii. Do I need to acquire examples that depict him bald headed on each of the above types?

 

lol, i hear ya! i assume these all to be Vespasian, i know 1 is for sure, aww hair no!

 

This is a fun and interesting topic. Here are a few of my denarii that have Vitellian characteristics.




Compared with a later bullheaded Vespasian. I think we would all start to strain under the load of the Empire!

 

Your Judaea Capta certainly has Vitellian features. Very nice!

 

Wonderful examples. That Judaea example is especially interesting - what an unusual portrait.

 

yeah, that one looks like Vitellius and Vespasian caught in the machine in "The Fly

 

I think you already know the answer to this question.

 

well, it's a good thing i didn't get offered a good deal on a Vespasian comb before now><

 

This one has Vittellius (Vito) like features. I don't have it in hand yet but it's on the way. I bought it in celebration of getting RIC II part 1 on Davids reccomendation.

 

I wouldn't necessarily call this a 'Vitellian' Vespasian. Although it is not the normal Vespasian portrait we all know. What I like about this coin is the reverse, not the obverse. The details on the trophy are interesting and very well struck.

 

David, would you call the portrait more of a stylistic difference? Maybe from a Spanish mint or something?

 

That's a good question. The problem with assigning mints to these early issues by style alone is the fact Rome had a variable style for Vespasian in 69/70. With the new emperor away in Egypt, understandably the mint's engravers had a hard time figuring out his portrait ... at least until someone sent a portrait bust to the mint.

Your coin, IMHO, is within the acceptable stylistic range of Rome.