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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;John Anthony, post: 1834599, member: 42773&quot;]I think there are larger dynamics at play. The overall movement from life-like to stylized portraits seems to indicate an emphasis on the idealization of monarchy, as opposed to an earlier cult of personality. By way of comparison, political pundits in the US are fond of reviling our presidents, yet the presidency itself is something to be respected, and perhaps even revered. The generic busts on 4th-century coinage may reflect a change in the way the monarchy was viewed, and the legends may be a part of that change.</p><p><br /></p><p>RIC says DOMINVS NOSTER was not an official title, but rather a polite honorific. But the emphasis of DN over IMP isn&#039;t the only radical change. TR P, COS, and P P also disappear in the 4th-century. Why is that? Perhaps the Romans of the tetrarchy period looked back on three centuries of the often horrific abuse of power by their Caesars and found those lofty titles ironic, or downright laughable. Can you imagine any of our recent presidents calling themselves the Father of the Country, Highest Magistrate, Purveyor of Justice for All? We all know our leaders are no less human and flawed than ourselves, and when they climb onto a pedestal of any sort, they merely make themselves the butt of a joke.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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