ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses the role of coins in the visual communication of the public persona of Livia and how coins related the gender-infused socio-political and religious roles inherent in Livia’s position as dominant female in the Augustan and Tiberian Roman imperial regime. In order to understand the significance of the images and messages conveyed by coins regarding Livia, it is important first to consider the Livia we know from literary sources and how the impressions of Livia that these convey both echo and contrast the impressions given of Livia from coins. As men competed for political power and supremacy in Rome, their wives and daughters, distinguished because of their familial heritage, good morals and chastity, brought them distinction and status as well. The changing status of women like Octavia, and eventually Livia, was reflected in various unprecedented honours and privileges which were bestowed upon them in Rome only a few years after the coins depicting Octavia made their debut.
