Liberator or Tyrannus? The Ideology of Libertas in Usurpation and Civil War

Abstract

Ideas of libertas were powerfully resonant in Roman political ideology (eg, Stylow 1972, Wirszubski 1960), particularly in moments of transitions of power. Thus, L. Brutus was celebrated by Tacitus as founding the consulship and libertas (Ann. 1.1) and Augustus in his Res Gestae claims as his first achievement the liberation of the state from an oppressive faction (Res Ges. 1.1). The theme of libertas thus seems ideal for exploitation in justifying the deposition of a reigning emperor or usurper. This paper will explore the extent to which this possibility was exploited by usurpers from Galba through to Magnentius, with a focus on imperial coinage, which is often the only way that we have access to the ideology of failed imperial claimants. It will be argued that the first successful usurper, Galba, made extensive use of the theme of libertas. He made his proclamation of rebellion at a ceremony of manumission (Suet. Galba 10.1) and coins were also struck in Spain during his usurpation echoing those celebrating libertas that had been struck in Brutus' name after his assassination of Caesar, featuring two daggers and a pilleus (RIC I p. 205 no. 24; Crawford 1974, no. 508/3).