Depiction of Emperor Augustus on Coins of Aretas IV, King of the Nabateans

Abstract

Aretas IV (c. 9 BCE–40 CE), the greatest king of the Nabateans, minted several different
types of sela‘in in his first regnal year (Barkay 2017b:101, 105–106). Yet another type is
now added, bearing the depiction of Emperor Augustus on the obverse. The reason for the
large number of types and variants in regnal year one, as well as the unique phenomenon of
the Emperor’s portrait, are explained against the background of the death of King Obodas
II and Aretas’ struggle for power and Roman recognition.