Ancient Rome - c. BCE 5 Augustus AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria NGC AU in Fine Style

This coin was struck in Roman-Greek Syrian Antioch to honor Augustus being named the 12th Consul in Consular Year 12 (5 BC). The consul was the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic (509 to 27 BC). Ancient Romans regarded the consulship as the highest level of public offices which politicians desired. Each year saw the Roman citizenry elect two consuls to serve in concert for a one year term. The consuls alternated in holding fasces each month when both were in Rome and a consul's imperium included Rome and all of its provinces. There were two consuls as a check on the power of the other. However, after the establishment of the Empire in 27 BC, consuls became only symbolic representatives of Roman republican tradition and had little power and authority, for all real authority rested in the hands of the emperor. When Augustus was named consul in 5 BC, his co-consul was L. Cornelius Sulla.