The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Born in the rural fringes of the Empire, Macrinus (ca. 165 – 218 AD) grew up studying law and, like many young men looking to better themselves, moved to Rome. There he landed a job with Plautianus, which was a great career move since his new boss hailed from the patrician, or aristocratic class, whereas Marcinus belonged to the much lower, so-called equestrian class. It got even better when Plauntianus became Praetorian Guard commander: Macrinus now made it all the way to Augustus Septimus Severus’ court. However, Macrinus’ position became precarious when Severus’ eldest son, the impetuous Caracalla, had Plautianus killed on suspicion of treason. Following Roman tradition, the rampage could easily have extended to Plautianus’ associates, including Macrinus, if not for the fortunate intercession of another patrician close to the Severans. Having dodged the sling missile, Macrinus doubled his efforts to prove useful and promote himself within the imperial court. By 217 AD when Severus died, Macrinus was entrusted enough to be named procurator rei privatae (in charge of the imperial family’s finances). Shortly thereafter, Macrinus’ career once again took an unexpected and potentially hazardous turn: Caracalla murdered his brother Geta. The aftermath was extremely thorough this time, with widespread execution of Geta’s supporters, servants, courtiers, and even suspected Senators. Probably because of his impartiality and usefulness, Macrinus was not only spared, but also promoted (there were plenty of imperial job vacancies), this time to Praetorian Prefect. Macrinus was now responsible for Caracalla’s personal safety, a daunting task full of hazards from all sides. Making matters worse, a respected soothsayer predicted that Macrinus would be next Emperor (a reasonable prediction given the numerous Emperors killed by their employees). A message was sent to Caracalla with the news; luckily, Macrinus had been delegated to sift through the imperial mail. Seeing the communication, he must have immediately realized his peril. At the time, Caracalla was in Syria traveling with Macrinus and the troops. It was probably not coincidence that shortly thereafter Caracalla was killed, while off the side of the road, caught with his pants down (literally, he was relieving himself). The perpetrator, a disaffected soldier passed up for promotion, was promptly killed, precluding any further investigation. Once again, a potentially dangerous situation turned into promotion: Macrinus told the troops the news, and, just as prophesized, they proclaimed him next Augustus. Word reached Rome, and the Senate confirmed the succession, making Macrinus the first Augustus from outside the patrician or senatorial classes. His reign was unusual in other ways. For instance, he decided that the denarius silver content, steadily reduced by his predecessors for decades, should now be increased substantially (from 51.5% to 58%). This denarius, struck in 217-218 AD is an example. The coin’s reverse displays the Roman goddess Salus, daughter of Asclepius, god of healing. According to mythology, she was responsible for feeding and care of Asclepius’ precious snakes. Therefore, she was associated with welfare of individuals, and the whole Roman Empire. In this depiction, she sits, feeding one of fathers’ slithering sidekicks from a patera. Her casual posture - crossed legs, other hand resting on the chair - suggests comfort and confidence. Macrinus, however, was not experiencing comfort and confidence in his new role as leader of the Roman Empire. He attempted to counter the Persian’s advance into Mesopotamia (they were taking advantage of Caracalla’s demise), only to end the fight in a bloody draw, and only won the peace after promising an enormous bribe. To offset this cost, Macrinus rescinded the 50% military pay raise previously promised by Caracalla. The troops, already unimpressed with their new leader’s performance, were now seriously displeased. Macrinus, realizing his unpopularity extended to the Senate and other Roman governmental offices, removed many of Caracalla’s previous appointees and replaced them with outsiders like himself. The Empire-wide overhaul was unprecedented: virtually every important province had new leadership. Although the efforts promoted Macrinus’ stability, fate once again turned on him in 217 AD, in the form of Caracalla’s aunt, Julia Maesa. Julia presented the troops her eldest grandson, Elagabalaus, claiming he was Caracalla’s (illegitimate) son and rightful heir to the throne. More importantly, she promised to re-instate the troop’s pay raise. Macrinus countered by declaring his son Diadumenianus co-Augustus, and, in a change of heart, also promising more military pay. It was too little and too late, and so it came down to a confrontation between troops favoring return to the days of Caracalla versus those loyal to the new Augustus. In the end, the latter deserted in droves, and Macrinus was captured and slain. A reign notable for “firsts” and non-traditional imperial policies had gone too far in neglecting the favor and loyalty of the Roman military. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, MACRINUS. 217-218 AD. AR Denarius (2.94 g, 19 mm), NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Reverse: Salus seated left on high-backed chair, feeding from patera a serpent arising from altar and holding scepter, SALVS PVBLICA, Reference: RIC IV (part II), pg 11, #86.

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