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

Constans (323-350 AD) was a young teenager when his father, Constantine I the Great, died after serving three decades as ruler of the Roman Empire. In the aftermath, Constans inherited the title of co-Augustus, shared with two older brothers, Constantius II and Constantine II. It was decided that the former would rule over the far eastern Empire, and the latter over the westernmost provinces. Constans was given responsibility over the remainder in between, including Italy and Africa, and, owing his age, became under Constantine’s supervision. The power sharing only lasted a few years. As eldest Augustus, Constantine felt he deserved more power, and quarreled with Constans over control of Italy and Africa. It finally came to war: in 340 AD, Constantine invaded northern Italy, while Constans was away in Moesia, possibly hunting (a favorite pastime). Hearing the news, Constans dispatched an advance force, while planning a larger response. There was no need: the advance force exceeded expectations, ambushing and killing Constantine. The sixteen-year-old Constans advanced to sole, unsupervised Augustus over the western half of the Roman Empire. By all accounts, Constans governed successfully during his early reign. He kept busy, defeating the Franks in the Rhine, and later repelling an incursion by the Picts in Britannia. He travelled widely, regardless of environmental conditions, and became known for energy and enthusiasm towards defending his realm. Constans was also a defender of Nicece Christianity, resulting in discord with Constantius, who held Arian views. Constans enacted restrictive measures against the Jews and Pagans. He was particularly repressive towards Donatist Christians, causing conflict with his own subjects, even some important figures within the imperial regime. Constans and Constantius would reign over west and east, respectively, for a decade. Near the end of that period, this coin of Constans’ was struck in Antioch, Syria, under the governance of Constantius. This was usual practice: Constans also struck Constantius’ coins in the western mints. This particular coin was struck 348 to 350 AD, after the brothers decided on a major coinage reform. The reform was to deal with the declining follis, which shrank from about 12.5 g to 1.5 g in weight (or 30 mm to 15 mm in diameter) in the first half of the 4th century AD. The new standard, called a centenionalis, weighed in at about 5 g. Coins declared a new message on the reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO. This stands for felix (or perhaps felicium) temporum reparatio, roughly corresponding to “Happy Days are Here Again.” Several motifs were employed along with this legend. The most popular with Constantius was the falling horseman (some examples are included in this set). Constans preferred other designs. For some centenionali, he depicted himself on a galley sailed by Victory, and others, such as this one, a Roman soldier with a spear in one hand and a child on the other, who he leads away from a hut. A common interpretation of this scene is that the child is a barbarian (e.g., a Frank), being liberated and resettled elsewhere in the Roman Empire; hence, good times are in store for the youngster. An alternative, chilling thought is that the child’s parents have been slain, and he is being led into slavery, in order to restore good times for Rome’s citizens. The latter view is particular disturbing, considering Constans’ reputation for avarice and cruelty earned towards the end of his reign: charges included sexual exploitation of male barbarian slaves, and specifically pederasty. The histories – mainly recorded after the fact – also charge rampant corruption. Important governmental positions were sold to the highest bidder, resulting in widespread incompetency and cruelty, as the ill-chosen appointees abused their subjects to recoup their investments. Constans became increasingly unpopular, especially with the soldiers holding disdain for his open homosexuality. In 350 AD, the troops at Augustodunum decided that they preferred the popular military commander Magnentius for their Emperor. Constans was away at the time, reportedly on yet another hunting trip, so he did not have the time and opportunity to mount a proper defense. Moreover, his entourage, upon hearing the news, largely deserted him. The Augustus had no recourse but to flee and hide. The hunter was now the hunted, and Magnentius’ supporters pursued Constans for weeks. Eventually, Constans was cornered within the town of Castrum Helenae (named after his grandmother) in southern Gual, near the border with Hispania. In a desperate measure, Constans took refuge in a Pagan temple, claiming sanctuary. The claim fell upon dear ears, and Constans was dragged out unto the street to meet the jaunts and swords of his hunters. The youngest son of Constantine the Great was left alone to die; only Laniogaisus, his faithful barbarian lover and guardsman, stayed with him, supporting him to end. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constans, AD 337-350, AE Centenionalis (5.15 g) , Antioch mint, officina 6; 348-350 AD, NGC GRADE: MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Constans, facing left, holding globe, D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, REVERSE: Soldier, holding downward-facing spear, leading small barbarian figure from hut; palm tree above hut, FEL TEMP REPA-RATIO, ANS in exergue, Reference: RIC VIII Antioch 126.

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