Roman Empire Caesar and Emperor Coins 31 BC - 476 AD

Coins of the Bible that Jesus used

 

Introduction:

  1. For Judean governors and kings like Herod, Pilate, Felix, Festus, Agrippa see our Judean governor page.
  2. The Caesars of Roman Empire were the fourth and final human empire predicted by Daniel and Isaiah who prophesied that God would set up his "church/kingdom" on the Day of Pentecost, 33 AD.
  3. Jesus and all the Apostles used the coins of these Emperors who played a central role in everyday life.
  4. Here we highlight the coins of the Roman Caesars.

 

I. List of Emperors, Caesars of the Roman Empire:

  1. 49-44 Julius Caesar (Emperor 1) crosses the Rubicon river, becomes dictator
  2. 31 Octavian (Augustus) defeats Antony in Battle of Actium becomes emperor 31 BC - 14 AD
  3. 14-37 Caesar Tiberius
  4. 37-41 Caesar Caligula
  5. 41-54 Caesar Claudius
  6. 54-68 Caesar Nero (Nron Qsr = “666”, Greek transliterated into Hebrew)
  7. 69 Caesars (3) Galba, Otho, Vitellius
  8. 69-79 Caesar Vespasian
  9. 79-81 Caesar Titus
  10. 81-96 Caesar Domitian
  11. 138-161 Caesar Antoninus Pius

 

II. Chronology of New Testament and Roman events

49 BC Julius Caesar (Emperor 1) crosses the Rubicon river, becomes dictator

44  BC Julius Caesar murdered. Octavian is Julius’ only heir

36 BC Mark Antony kills Antigonus, ending Hasmonean rule

31 BC Octavian (Augustus) defeats Antony in Battle of Actium becomes emperor 31 BC - 14 AD

30 BC Antony & Cleopatra commit suicide ending Ptolemaic rule

23 BC Caesar Octavian (Augustus) given tribunician powers (Second Settlement)

20 BC Herod begins building temple: Jos. Ant. 15.380

12 BC Augustus given title “pontifex maximus” (Highest religious position)

12 BC Temple precincts completed: Jos. Ant. 15.420

7 BC Aristobulus dies

4 BC Antipater poisons Pheroas, Antipater executed.

4 BC Archelaus, Antipas and Philip begin as administrators, co-regents.

1 BC Lunar Eclipse 10 January; Herod Slaughters Babies

1 BC Herod the Great dies: Antiquities 17.167-181

1 BC Archelaus, Antipas, Philip II succeed Herod as Tetrarchs: Lk 3:1

1 BC Archelaus 1BC-6AD Judea

1 BC Antipas 1BC-39AD Galilee Perea

1 BC Philip II 1BC-34AD Panea, Ituraea, Trachonitis, Lysanias

10 AD Jesus in Jerusalem temple age 12: Lk 2:42

14-37 AD Caesar Tiberius

29 AD John the Baptist begins preaching: Lk 3:1

32 AD Herod Antipas, Galilean Governor, beheads John: Mt 14:3

37-41 AD Caesar Caligula

37-43 AD King Herod Agrippa I, given territory of Philip II by Caligula

39 AD King Herod Agrippa I, given territory of Antipas by Caligula

41-54 AD Caesar Claudius, gives Agrippa I all lands Herod the Great ruled

43 AD King Herod Agrippa I, kills James, dies of worms: Acts 12 (Because his son, Agrippa II is 17 year old, the territory given to Cuspius Fadus in 44 AD)

49-100 AD Herod Agrippa II becomes king, territory of Agrippa I

49 AD Jerusalem council, Paul’s 2nd Journey: Acts 15

54-68 AD Caesar Nero (Nron Qsr = “666”, Greek transliterated into Hebrew)

57 AD Paul before Festus & Agrippa, sent to Rome: Acts 25-26

60 AD Paul leaves Rome: Acts 28:30

69 AD Caesars (3) Galba, Otho, Vitellius

69-79 AD Caesar Vespasian

70 AD Titus destroys Temple on the same day Nebuchadnezzar did same in 587 BC on 10th Ab. (Jer 52:12-13; Jos. Wars 6.250)

75 Ad King Agrippa II buys a copy of Josephus’ book “Wars”: Apion 1.51

79-81 AD Caesar Titus

81-96 AD Caesar Domitian

138-161 AD Caesar Antoninus Pius

 

I. Coins of Roman Emperors:

  1. 49-44 Julius Caesar (Emperor 1) crosses the Rubicon river, becomes dictator
  2. 31 Octavian (Augustus) defeats Antony in Battle of Actium becomes emperor 31 BC - 14 AD
  3. 14-37 Caesar Tiberius
    1. "Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away." (Matthew 22:15–22)
  4. 37-41 Caesar Caligula
  5. 41-54 Caesar Claudius
  6. 54-68 Caesar Nero (Nron Qsr = “666”, Greek transliterated into Hebrew)
    1. "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six." (Revelation 13:18)
    2. "Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. “The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction." (Revelation 17:9–11)
  1. 69 Caesars (3) Galba, Otho, Vitellius
  2. 69-79 Caesar Vespasian
  3. 79-81 Caesar Titus
  4. 81-96 Caesar Domitian
  5. 114-117 Caesar Trajan

  6. 138-161 Caesar Antoninus Pius

 

Conclusion:

  1. For Herod, Pilate, Felix, Festus, Agrippa see our Judean governor page.

 

 

By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.

 

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