The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch 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

Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus (206? – 253 AD) was born of an Etruscan family of the senatorial class. He forged a traditional Roman political career, holding various posts such as senator and consul. By 251 AD, Gallus served under Augustus Trajan Decius as governor of the Moesia province. Gallus had some success in defending his territory, for example repelling the Goths and their King Kniva on the northern Danube. The Goths then moved their raids to the southern Danube, where Decius and his forces had arrived at the scene. Kniva sprang an ambush, and managed to kill the Augustus and his older son. Gallus’ legions took the opportunity, not surprisingly, to declare their leader the new Augustus. There was a slight problem: back in Rome Decius was survived by his younger son, Hostilian, rightful heir to the throne. Gallus’ solution was appointing Hostillian as co-Augustus. Gallus also strengthened his position by naming his son, Volusianus, as Caesar. Gallus negotiated a treaty with Kniva (allowed the Goths to keep their loot and promising an annual bribe), and headed to Rome to solidify his position. Gallus arrived in a capital that was suffering from a horrible plague. Every day the death toll increase steadily; soon, even Hostillian perished. Gallus and (newly promoted co-Augustus) Volusian gave the situation their full attention, providing for proper burials, even for those too poor to afford it. These sympathetic actions were well received by the Roman people. However, the co-Augusti’s lack of attention towards other matters, particularly on the foreign front, was not appreciated. In 252 AD, the eastern frontier came under attack by King Shapur and his Persian armies. Within a year, Shapur managed to defeat the local Roman forces and control most of Syria, including the capital of Antioch. The loss of Antioch was particularly bad news, since it was a mint. This coin, a billon tetradrachm, was struck in Antioch sometime before Shapurs’ occupation, probably in 251 AD. The style is unmistakable: a laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust on the obverse, and an eagle on the verso, with wings spread and wreath proudly held aloft in its beak. The numismatic motif of the eagle and wreath, dating back to at least the Roman Republic, serves to glorify its subject, in this case, Gallus. In one particular interpretation, the majestic eagle is tasked with delivering souls to its master, the sun, and the wreath is proof of victorious liberation. Also on the verso, in exergue, the letter Z refers to the coin’s specific officina, and the letters S C stand for senatus consulto, or “with the Senate’s permission.” Shapur didn’t stop at Antioch, further challenging the eastern Roman territories. In addition to these troubles on the eastern front, the Roman Empire was also once again under attack along the Danube. Gallus’ replacement as Moesian governor, Aemilianus, repudiated the bribes promised to Kniva, and the disappointed Goths renewed their raiding across the Danube. This time, the governor and his legions were ready, and kept the Goths contained. Afterwards, the legions, pleased with these developments (e.g., funds earmarked for Kniva were now available to them), elevated their governor to Augustus. Aemilianus accepted the promotion, and marched off to Rome with a large and battle-savvy contingency. Gallus and Volusianus, realizing their peril, gathered their own army and headed north to meet the oncoming rival Augustus. Their pace was slow, as they awaited reinforcements – which never arrived. The imperial troops, already frustrated that they were mobilized – finally - not to fight bordering enemies, but fellow Romans, now feared for their lives. Inevitably, the reign of Gallus and Volusianus came to an end at the hands of their own disaffected troops. Coin Details: SYRIA, ANTIOCH, Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253, Billon Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.08 g, 6h), 7th officina, struck AD 251, NGC Grade: Ch MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, AVTOK K Γ OYIB TPEB ΓAΛΛOC CEB, Reverse: Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak, with wings spread, ΔHMAPX EΞOVCIAC VΠATO B, with SC and Z in exergue, References: Prieur 669; McAlee 1173g.

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