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

Barely a teenager, Constans (323-350 AD) ascended to co-Augustus when his father Constantine died after three decades rule over the Roman Empire. Constans shared the responsibility along with his two older brothers, Constantius II and Constantine II. Specifically, Constantius II ruled over the far eastern Empire, Constantine II controlled the westernmost provinces, and Constans inherited the remainder in between, including Italy and Africa. Owing his youth, Constans was subject to Constantine’s supervision. The power sharing lasted only 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 (his favorite pastime). Hearing the news, Constans dispatched a small advance force, while planning a larger response to follow. 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 repelling an incursion by the Picts in Britannia. He travelled widely, regardless of environmental conditions, becoming renown for energetically and enthusiastically defending his realm. Constans was also a defender of Nicece Christianity, resulting in discord with his remaining brother Constantius, who held Arian views. Constans enacted restrictive measures against the Jews and Pagans. He was particularly repressive towards Donatist Christians, causing conflict with many of his own subjects, including some within his own court. Constans and Constantius would reign over west and east, respectively, for a decade. Near the end of that period (348-350 AD), this coin of Constans’ was struck in Antioch, Syria, under the governance of Constantius. This was usual practice, i.e., Constans also struck Constantius’ coins in the western mints). The imperial brothers had recently enacted a major coinage reform to address the rapidly declining follis that shrunk from 12.5 g to 1.5 g in only a few decades. The new standard, called a centenionalis, weighed in at about 5 g. Iconically, the new coins bore a new message in verso: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, that is, felix temporum reparatio, corresponding to “happy days are here again.” Several motifs were employed along with this legend. The most popular with Constantius was the falling horseman (multiple 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 in the other, whom 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; allegations included the 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, and therefore unable to mount a proper defense. Moreover, when his present entourage heard the news, they largely deserted him. The Augustus had no recourse but to flee, and hide. The hunter was now the hunted; Magnentius’ supporters pursued Constans for weeks. Eventually, Constans was cornered in southern Gaul, within the town of Castrum Helenae, named after his grandmother. In a desperate measure, Constans took refuge in a Pagan temple, claiming sanctuary. That claim fell upon unsympathetic ears: 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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