The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5
Grade Comment: lt. smoothing
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Belonging to the Constantinian dynasty afforded advantages as well as consequences. For Flavius Claudius Julianus (331/2-363 AD), it nearly meant his own death after the passing of his stepuncle, Constantine I, and subsequent family cleansing enacted by his stepcousin, Constantius II. Owing his youth, Julian was exiled to Bithynia where he grew up and proved a strong ingenium, or inborn gift for learning, mastering all his studies from the Classics to Christianity (the former interested him despite training under the latter’s indoctrination). By all accounts, Julian was quite happy to maintain a low prolife and live out his life as a perpetual discipulus of the finest professors from Ephesus to Pergamum. The life of letters was rudely interrupted in 354 AD, when Julian was summoned to Constantius’ court, and held on suspected treason, a serious development. The Augustus had recently murdered his latest kin, a half cousin, so now Julian was the only other surviving Constantinian male. Julian’s life was spared at the intercession of his stepaunt, Augusta Eusebia, who arranged for his return to Athens and his much-loved studies. Shortly thereafter, Julian’s scholarship was interrupted yet again when he was re-summoned, only this time to be declared Caesar. Julian, resistant to the idea, but with no say in the matter, found himself Constantius’ heir and new brother in law, via marriage to Helena the Younger. Not only that, Julian was assigned the unenviable task of defending Gaul from Germanic invasions. This allowed Constantius to focus elsewhere, expecting his new Caesar to stay out the way and not succeed to the point he became an Imperial threat. It was a difficult situation for Julian who, despite all his learning, was completely lacking in military skills. His blood proved purple enough, and Julian tackled the problem in his own fashion; he became a student of war. Despite a rough start, Julian soon became a successful military commander, scoring impressive victories against the Franks and Alemanni. He continued to hone his military skills, despite certain commanders withholding their aid (the latter were acting under orders of Constantius, jealous of his Caesar’s surprising and increasing competency). Julian also applied his intellect towards improving Gaul’s stability and prosperity. For example, he reformed taxes, eliminated waste, and rooted out corruption. He became popular not only with his troops, but also Gaul’s citizens, further displeasing Constantius, who responded by removing Julian’s most valuable advisor. Despite this setback, Julian’s political career, seemingly of its own will, continued on the rise. The infuriated Constantius ordered large portions of Julian’s armies to redeploy under eastern command to fight the Sassanids. Expectedly, the highly reluctant western troops disobeyed and instead zealously elevated Julian, willing or not. Julian accepted his destiny and tried to establish diplomatic relations with his co-Augusti, but such overtures were spurned, and it came to war. Echoing events of generations past, the division between eastern and western Roman forces was rife with religious overtones. This time, Constantinople held Christian beliefs, whereas Julian encouraged polytheism. Despite his baptism and Christian indoctrination, Julian actively pursed the return of paganism and ancient Roman values in order to re-unify the Empire. Therefore, he is considered the last non-Christian Augustus, earning the nickname “Apostate.” In 361 AD, Julian completed his campaigns in Gaul, then gathered his troops and marched eastwards. Constantius attempted to have the Alemanni block his rival’s advance, but failed (they were already pacified by Julian). Constantius wrapped up his current Persian campaign, and prepared to meet his brother-in-law in battle. However, as Julian nearly reached Asia, Constantius fell ill, and died. On his deathbed, Constantius accepted that there was no one else more suitable, and officially declared Julian ruler of the entire Roman Empire. By the end of the year, Julian arrived in Constantinople to consolidate his power. The first order of business was integration among the local troops and his own, no small task considering the lingering hostility and religious rhetoric. He also continued to pursue other aspects of his agenda, including re-integrating paganism, and supporting scholarship and literature. Notably, he founded a new library in Constantinople that ultimately housed over a hundred thousand volumes. Coins reflecting Julian’s official promotion were struck across the Empire, including this example from Heraclea. The obverse depiction contains the usual elements, yet is differentiating; for example, Julian’s helmet echoes a Hellenistic style. On the reverse, Julian’s first decade of military leadership is anticipated, along with a pledge of devotion for another two decades. In 363 AD, Julian resumed the Persian campaign. His diverse force initially managed to score several successes, advancing deep into enemy territory, even to the point of laying siege to the Sassanid capital, Ctesiphon. However, the city proved too strong, and Julian relented. Days later, Julian was killed, most likely by the enemy, although some speculate betrayal of the Christian troops. Julian died childless, and his greatest legacy was perhaps his own written works – he never lost his passion for letters – the large volume of which surpassed that of any other Emperor. Coin Details: Roman Empire, Julian II, 360-363 AD, AE3 (20mm, 3.31 g 12), Heraclea, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Diademed, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Julian to left, holding spear and shield, D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: VOT / X / MVLT / XX within wreath; in exergue, HERACLA dot B, References: LRBC 1908. RIC 105.

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