sestertium Definition
- 1an ancient Roman coin or unit of currency worth one-quarter of a denarius
- 2a large sum of money
Using sestertium: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sestertium" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The sestertium was the most common coin in circulation during the Roman Republic.
Example
He inherited a sestertium from his grandfather's estate.
Example
The cost of the renovation was over a million sestertium.
sestertium Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with sestertium
sestertium senatum consultum
a decree of the Roman Senate authorizing the expenditure of public funds
Example
The construction of the Colosseum was funded by a sestertium senatum consultum.
sestertium signatum
a bronze token used in ancient Rome as a substitute for small change
Example
The use of sestertium signatum was widespread in the Roman Empire.
a unit of account used in ancient Rome to express large sums of money, equivalent to one thousand sestertii
Example
The annual salary of a Roman legionary was around ten sestertium milia.
Origins of sestertium
from Latin 'sestertius', meaning 'two and one half' (referring to its value in asses)
Summary: sestertium in Brief
The term 'sestertium' [sɛˈstɜːrʃəm] refers to an ancient Roman coin or unit of currency worth one-quarter of a denarius. It can also mean a large sum of money. Examples include 'The sestertium was the most common coin in circulation during the Roman Republic.' and 'The cost of the renovation was over a million sestertium.' Phrases include 'sestertium senatum consultum,' a decree of the Roman Senate authorizing the expenditure of public funds.
