Lugdunum 13 BCE           Reverse TYPE: Augustus and Agrippa, togate, seated on rostrum (speakers' platform) LEGEND: identifies moneyer

Augustus realized that, if the present happy circumstances were to continue, a dynasty would be required; thus, he had to both maintain his image as 'first among equals' AND ensure that the successor could only be a member of his family. He had already established a mythological genealogy for the Julian gens (family), but, to his dismay, his appointed successors one by one died before Augustus himself did.

• Augustus had no sons by natural descent
• Marcellus, first heir apparent, nephew of Augustus and married to his daughter Julia, died in 23 BCE.
• Agrippa, shown with Augustus above, who was married to the widowed Julia, died in 12 BCE.
• Gaius and Lucius, Augustus' grandsons by Agrippa and Julia, died in 4 CE and 2 CE respectively. (see next page)

A rostrum is a ship's prow; the speakers' platform was decorated with the prows of enemy ships, hence the name.