Septimius Severus Denarius Ancient Roman Empire Silver Coin 197AD RIC 97

Obverse: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right
Reverse: HERCVLI DEFENS, Hercules, naked, lion-skin draped over left arm, standing right, holding club set on ground in right hand and bow in left hand
Date: 197 A.D
ID: RIC IV Septimius Severus 97
Size: 17.5mm diameter, 3.19g weight
Composition: Silver

Hercules was a legendary hero and demi-god originally from Greek mythology but later utilized by the Romans as a symbol of strength and power.

In 193 AD, Septimius Severus was proclaimed emperor by his troops after the assassination of Emperor Pertinax. He immediately marched on Rome and defeated his rival claimants to the throne, ending a brief period of civil war known as the Year of the Five Emperors. Severus was an effective ruler and military leader, leading campaigns against the Parthian Empire in the east and kingdoms in North Africa, expanding the Empire to its peak territorial size. But these military campaigns, along with his expansion of the bureaucracy and his intentional debasement of the Roman currency in order to pay the now massive military, weakened the Empire and arguably contributed to the Crisis of the 3rd Century (50 years of nearly continuous civil war). 

Upon Severus' death in 211 A.D. due to illness, his two sons Caracalla and Geta became co-emperors. The two brothers hated each other, and in less than a year Caracalla would have his brother stabbed to death (in their mother's arms, no less) in order to become the sole emperor.