Nero Claudius Drusus: a subtle reminder of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and its hierarchy

Nero, Claudius and Drusus...


walk into a bar. Then Nero Claudius Drusus walks in with the beers and says, "Io, great grandson, son and nephew! *large belch.* Drink up for you'll all be undone by the women closest to you!"


Let's keep in mind his mother was Livia, wife of AUGUSTUS. As well, he was father of wildly popular general Germanicus... father of Caligula

Such an impressive legacy and lineage. Like so many from the line, post JC, his short life was celebrated and marred in mystery.
One of the largest mysteries lingers of whether his fall from a horse, a month before his death, was the cause of his death or the visit from brother Tiberius directly before.
With the history we receive coming from individuals who'd gain from slandering the "Great" families in question, these days I tend to doubt a lot of the sensationalism.


A glaring gap in my Julio-Claudian collection. I was already on the lookout for an affordable coin of this popular and enigmatic figure. I was intrigued by this well used, but brutalized, coin.
It certainly appears to intentionally scar his portrait. But why?

Nero Claudius Drusus - Drusus Seated Sestertius. 41-42 AD. Rome mint. Obv: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP legend with bare head left. Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P legend with figure seated left on curule chair holding branch with arms beneath; SC below. RIC 93; mm, 24 grams.

I'd love to see more examples and read your thoughts on his legacy.

 

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..wow...i was just bidding on one on ebay..an As i believe...but it was in worse shape and (to me) went for too much...kool to have one Ryro!

 

Thanks my man.
According to Livy, Caesar speaking of Sulla, "He didn't know his ABCs when he laid down his dictatorship."
Ps, I usually can call your avatar. What's this one from,

 

NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP - bare head of Drusus left /
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C - Claudius (?), bare-headed and togate, seated left on curule chair amidst arms, holding branch in extended right hand
Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, ca. AD 41-42
RIC 93; BMCRE 157; CBN 125; Cohen 8; Sear 1896

 

I just reshot this one with different lighting.

It looks a lot duller than a previous photo taken with a cell phone & flash that highlights more depth with the shadowing. Someday, I'll figure out this coin photo thing.

One of my favorite Roman Imperial coins is this broad sestertius. This guy played a major role in the Claudian part of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He also was one of the only Roman Generals to have far-reaching success campaigning in Germania.



Nero Claudius Drusus. Died 9 BC. Æ Sestertius. Rome mint. Struck under Claudius, AD 42-54. 36mm 28.05g.
O: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP; Bare head left.
R: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, SC in exergue; Claudius seated left on curule chair, holding branch and scroll; below, weapons and armor on either side of globe.
RIC I 109 (Claudius)

 

..Perry Masons 'the captains coins"

 

Tiberius & Drusus ( 14 - 37 A.D.)
AR Drachm
CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia
O: [TI C]AES AVG PM TRP XXXV, Laureate head of Tiberius right.
R: DRVSVS CAES TI] AVG F COS II R P, Head of Drusus left.
Caesarea in Cappadocia mint 33- 34 A.D.
3.47g
19mm
RIC I 87; RPC I 3622. Syd 46