The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Neither Augustus nor Caesar, Hanniballianus (314? – 337 AD) was afforded the titles of Nobilissimus (Most Noble) and Rex Regum et Pontiacarum Gentium (King of Kings and of the Pontic Peoples) by his step uncle, Augustus Constantine I. Hanniballianus was the son of Flavius Delmatius, and grandson of Constantius I and his second wife Theodora. Although Constantine reserved the most important imperial positions (such as Caesar) to his own direct descendents, he clearly intended Hanniballianus to play some role in his succession plans. For example, Constantine arranged Hanniballianus’ marriage to his eldest daughter, Constantina. Perhaps Constantine not only intended Hanniballianus to rule over Pontus, but also hoped the marriage between half-cousins joining the descendents of Theodora and Constantius’ first wife, Helena, might prevent intra-dynastic feuding. The effort failed on both counts. At least in theory - if not practice - Hanniballianus reigned over Pontus and the buffer state of Armenia. This appointment came during a substantial buildup of Roman troops on the eastern border. These troops, in turn, triggered Sassanid King Shapur II to go on the offensive into Armenia. The Sassanid sortie broke a long-standing treaty, providing Augustus Constantine justification to plan a counter-assault against the Persians, perhaps intended as a last triumph capping his multi-decade reign. Hanniballianus’ coins are relatively scarce, struck only in Constantinople between 335 and 337 AD. This particular example, a follis, depicts the bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hanniballianus, along with the epithet FL HANNIBALINO REGI. On the reverse flan, Euphrates (the river god named after the same waterway) reclines right, leaning of a scepter; an urn and wind-swept reeds in the background complete the scene. The reverse invokes a decidedly pagan theme, almost certainly intended as provocation against Shapur, rather than conveying Hanniballianus’ religious preferences (after all, Christianity was all the rage across the Roman Empire by this time). Constantine died in 337 AD, on the verge of launching an invasion into Persia. Instead, the preparations were placed on hold, including any plans for formally placing Hanniballianus on the Pontic throne. Shortly thereafter, Hanniballianus, along with his father and many other male relatives, fell victim to the murderous designs of the sons of Constantine, who had no intention of sharing imperial power with decedents of Theodora. Hanniballianus’ reign, if it can be described as such, came to an ignominious end. ROMAN EMPIRE: Hanniballianus, Rex Regum, AD 335-337, Æ Follis (15mm, 1.98 g, 6h), Constantinople mint, 6th officina, Struck under Constantine I, AD 336-337, NGC Grade: Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right, FL HANNIBALINO REGI, Reverse: Euphrates reclining right, leaning on scepter; urn at side, reed in background, SECVRITAS PVBLICA, CONS in exergue, References: RIC VII 147; LRBC 1034.

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