Supremacy

Despite the short-lived nature of Sextus Pompeius’ official appointment as naval commander of Rome and praefectus classis et orae maritimae, the ‘prefect of the fleet and the sea coast’, the imagery of naval supremacy remained as a cornerstone of the iconography on Sextus’ coinage. Throughout RRC 511/3a and RRC 511/4a, various literal and symbolic figures are used, such as aphlasta, the mythical monster Scylla, representations of a technologically advanced fleet, and a militarised Neptune. In doing this, Sextus was able to remind others of his military victories over his opponent, Octavian, as well as convey his control over the Mediterranean and his technical superiority and naval prowess.