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Obv-GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVA AVG N Bare head left. Rev-C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG PM TRP IIII PP Legend around large SC RIC 50 |
The father of Caligula, brother of Tiberius and stepson of Augustus, Germanicus held an enviable imperial pedigree. He was an able and loved general who had the rare Augustan traits of moderation and leadership without excess. Even though Augustus appointed Tiberius emperor he far preferred the qualities of Germanicus and left plans in place to ensure that he stayed in the limelight and perhaps succeed Tiberius. Unfortunately, his popularity grew to such an extent that Tiberius became jealous for he knew that it would take little arm-twisting from the part of Germanicus to mount a coup that would probably end in his deposing. Tiberius's worries would be laid to rest however when Germanicus died suddenly and unexpectedly of a mysterious illness, possibly the effects of poisoning.
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