The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Born of a common family and provincially reared, Maximinus I (c. 173-238 AD) achieved notoriety as a Roman military commander during the reign of the Severan dynasty. Like many who rose from obscurity to power in the ancient world, very little is known about him until history took notice. During the reign of Septimus Severus, Maximinus joined the Roman army in a Thracian unit, earning his nickname, Thrax, even though he probably was Moesian. He was a physically imposing man, extremely tall and immensely strong: one historical account describes him as eight and half feet tall and able to pull an ox cart, i.e., as strong as an ox. He probably had acromegaly, a pituitary disorder resulting in excess growth hormone during puberty. He was big, brave, and brash, an ideal combination for a Roman military commander, and by the time of Severus Alexander, Maximinus was leader of Legio IV Italica. In AD 235, Maximinus and his Legion joined Alexander campaigning against the Germanic tribes at the Danubian front. The young Emperor planned to bribe the barbarians into subservience, and then move Rome’s military efforts towards the eastern borders. This plan humiliated and dismayed the Rhine legions, mostly local recruits unwilling to deploy. The disgruntled troops murdered Alexander and his mother, Empress Julia. Looking for a new leader, it was hard to miss giant Maximinus, whose precise role in these events is unknown. The Senate confirmed the ascension, even though they considered oafish Maximinus a barbarian himself, and not a true Roman (despite Caracala’s granting citizenship to all freely-born subjects). For his part, Maximinus focused on what he knew: leading his troops and engaging against the Alemanni. He ruthlessly put down several military revolts against him, and afterwards removed all senators from the army, replacing them with loyal soldiers owing him for their promotions. He scored military successes against the Germanic tribes, although with very high casualties, and named his son, Maximus, heir. The first coins minted under Maximinus depict him like Alexander, the engravers’ best attempt to portray their new Emperor, who never set foot in Rome. This denarius, minted sometime in 235-236 AD, shows the evolution as more information was available: Maximinus looks more barbaric with strong chin, furrowed forehead and flared nostrils. The reverse of this coin ironically depicts Pax, Goddess and personification of peace, holding branch and spear, and the epithet PAX AUGUSTI, reinforcing the concept that the Emperor was Lord of Peace and War (Maximinus’ preference was obvious). Maximinus' extensive military efforts took their toll on the Roman economy. His popularity plummeted, and the people revolted. Gathering his Legions, hurriedly and without proper provisioning, he headed to deal with a pesky Roman Senate that kept appointing new co-Emperors in his absence. When the imperial entourage reached northern Italy, the lands had been intentionally deserted and burned. Maximinus, who was said to consume forty pounds of meat and six gallons of wine per day, could not find sustenance for himself or his disaffected Legions. The combination of strict discipline, disease and starvation was too much for the disgruntled troops: they assassinated Maximinus and his son, and then continued on to Rome, presumably in search of food. Additional Reading: “Transitional Portraits on Roman Coins in the Third Century A.D.,” J. Illingworth, NGC Ancients on 9/11/2012. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximinus I, AD 235-238, AR Denarius (2.44 g), Rome mint, Struck March 235 – January 236 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, IMP MAXIMINUS PIUS AUG, Reverse: Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter, PAX AUGUSTI, Reference: RIC IV ii, 12D,p.140; C.31.

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