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Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus
"The Shield of Minerva" On a dish famously named "The Shield of Minerva," Vitellius ordered an extravagant feast featuring livers of exotic fish, brains of pheasants and peacocks, tongues of flamingos, and milts of sea eels. Additionally, 2,000 fish and 7,000 birds were served. Vitellius was one of the most obese rulers of Rome, constantly indulging in banquets. He frequently induced vomiting to continue eating. His reign was marked by extreme extravagance in palace life, with approximately 900,000,000 sesterces spent on his personal luxuries.
The reverse of the coin references the emperor's membership in the priestly college Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis ("Fifteen Men for Sacred Affairs"). This body was responsible for the Sibylline prophecies and was known for its opulent feasts—a trait particularly aligned with the gluttonous Vitellius.
Denomination: Denarius, Ag
Obverse: Laureate head of Vitellius right, A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P
Reverse: Tripod surmounted by dolphin right; below, raven right, XV VIR SACR FAC
Mint: Rome, 69 A.D.
Weight: 3,01 g
Diameter: 19mm
Provenance: Numismatik Naumann
Riferimento : 8.1 RIC I 109, RSC 111
Collezione : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 01 - Julio-Claudian