Gaius Caligula. 37-41 AD. Æ As, Lugnundum 37/8 AD.
Obverse: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare head left
Reverse: VESTA above, S C across field, Vesta seated left,holding patera and sceptre.
Reference: RIC I 38; BMCRE 46; BN 54; Cohen 27
Weight: 11.04g. Diameter: 26mm. Conservation: Extremely Fine
Provenance: Roma E-sale
According to tradition, worship of Vesta in Italy began in Lavinium, the mother-city of Alba Longa and the first Trojan settlement. From Lavinium worship of Vesta was transferred to Alba Longa.
Upon entering higher office, Roman magistrates would go to Lavinium to offer sacrifice to Vesta and the household gods the Romans called Penates. The Penates were Trojan gods first introduced to Italy by Aeneas. Alongside those household gods was Vesta, who has been referred to as Vesta Iliaca (Vesta of Troy), with her sacred hearth being named Ilaci foci (Trojan hearth).
Worship of Vesta, like the worship of many gods, originated in the home, but became an established cult during the reign of either Romulus, or Numa Pompilius (sources disagree, but most say Numa). The priestesses of Vesta, known as Vestal Virgins, administered her temple and watched the eternal fire. Their existence in Alba Longa is connected with the early Roman traditions, for Romulus' mother Silvia was a priestess.
Referência : RCV 1803
Coleção : II Roman Imperial Coins - 12 Caesars