The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

The concepts of “Western Roman Empire” and “Eastern Roman Empire” are modern devices applied to the period between late 4th and mid 5th century AD, wherein two separate imperial courts co-existed in Italy and Constantinople, respectively. However, the ancient Romans never used these descriptors, or even considered the realm segregated. This arrangement was rooted in the Tetrarchy formed by Diocletian after Rome’s Crisis of the 3rd Century, and instead served to improve administrative and military efficiency. Even since, the western court as a distinct entity was periodically abolished and recreated; the last time the Empire was unified was under Theodosius I in late 4th century BC. Upon Theodosius’ death, the Empire was divided again, and his sons Honorius (384-423 AD) and Arcadius declared Western and Eastern Augusti, respectively. Since Honorius was only eight years old, leadership fell to his general and reagent, Stilicho, of mixed Roman and Vandal ancestry. Honorius later married Stilicho’s daughter, Maria, and when she died, betrothed her sister Thermantia (although reportedly neither relationship was consummated). Honorius and Stilicho originally chose Milan as their imperial capital, and later moved it to the more defensible Ravenna, where it stayed until the overthrow of the very last Western Roman Emperor decades later. In 402 AD, the Ravenna mint opened, the pedigree for this gold solidus. Honorius is displayed on obverse and verso, wherein he proudly holds a standard, with a globe in his outstretched hand, on which is perched Victory, who in turn presents a congratulatory wreath back to the Emperor. The Honorius figure, although preoccupied with these pompous trappings, still has the opportunity to simultaneously trample a poor figure lying on the ground in supplication. The victim is generally referred to as a “captive,” presumably a barbarian (and Honorius was not the first Emperor employing the motif). Of course, it was not Honorius, but Stilicho, fighting barbarians, almost constantly during the first decade of 5th century AD. Stilicho repelled wave after wave of invasions in Gaul, Italy and Hispania. Things were also problematic in Britannia, where the local troops supported various revolts. Stilicho was so busy defending the imperial capital and his Emperor, at one point he forced the Roman Senate to pay an enormous sum in order to bribe the Visigoths into leaving Italy. In 408 AD, one of Honorius’ officials duped him into suspecting that Stilicho was a half-blooded traitor plotting an overthrow. The weak-minded Emperor fell for the scheme: he deposed Thermantia and executed Stilicho, along with many of his former commander's allies and family members. Stilicho’s downfall was a serious blow to the Western Roman Empire, and many of Stilicho’s troops defected to the Gothic King Alaric. Now that Alaric was largely unopposed, he sacked Rome in 410 AD, a shocking feat not accomplished for eight centuries. When the dim-witted Emperor first heard Rome had perished he was appalled, not out of concern for the city and its people, but because he had a favorite chicken named "Roma". After it was explained that his prized fowl was fine, Honorius was relieved. Honorius appointed Constantius III as his new military commander to replace the disgraced Stilicho. Now it was Constantius’ turn to keep the crumbling Western Empire from completely collapsing, as he dealt with the multitude of ever-appearing usurpers. Honorius rewarded Constantius with promotion to co-Augustus in AD 421. In addition, Honorius also named Galla Placidia, his half sister and Constantius' wife, as Augusta. The East rejected these appointments, leading to threats of intra-Empire war, which became moot when Constantius died months later. Honorius had a romantic interest in his (now unobstructed) half sister, causing the latter to flee the court amidst a public outrage. Honorius died in 423 AD of natural causes, without leaving any heir. History paints him as a weak ruler, with many blunders and follies to his name. Considering his ineptitude, and the constant barrage of usurpers, barbarians, and traitors, Honorius was fortunate –if nothing else – in that he retained power as long as he did, and avoided a non-natural demise. Coin Details: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Honorius, 393-423 AD, Minted at Ravenna 402-403 or 405-406 AD, AR Solidus (4.38 g), NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, Reverse: Honorius standing right, holding standard and Victory on globe, treading down captive, VICTORI-A AVGGG, R to left field, V to right field, COMOB in exergue, References: No exact die match found, similar to RIC X 1287.

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