The Augustan women of Rome were key figures within the Roman imperial family, distinguished by the honorific title of Augusta. This title, officially established after Livia Drusilla—wife of Augustus—recognized wives, mothers, daughters, and other women close to the emperors, granting them a unique status in the Roman court and public life.
Historically, the Augustans did not wield direct political power, but their influence was considerable in the private and symbolic spheres of the empire. Many of them participated in charitable activities, patronizing public and religious works, and promoting the dynastic image. The title of Augusta conferred prestige and legitimacy on the imperial family, and its concession responded to political strategies and the consolidation of power.
In the numismatic field, the importance of the Augustans is notable. Their likenesses and names appeared on gold, silver, and bronze coins issued both in Rome and in the provinces. These coins not only served as a means of imperial propaganda, disseminating the image of the ruling family, but also reflected the official recognition of women as a fundamental part of the imperial order. Augustan coins often feature idealized portraits and honorific inscriptions, and sometimes depict attributes of deities or virtues associated with the female figure, such as piety, fertility, or harmony.
The august women of Rome were silent but essential protagonists in the history of the empire, and their representation on coins is tangible testimony to their social, political, and symbolic relevance in Roman antiquity.
