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In Dorset, England on March 21, 2010, an earthenware flagon packed with ancient Roman coins was discovered in Gussage All Saints parish. Based on the rulers represented, burial of the Gussage All Saints hoard occurred in early 5th century AD. The hoard contained 662 coins, nearly all silver siliquae, including this one.
This very rare coin portrays Flavius Eugenius (died 394 AD), among the more unlikely characters to claim the throne. Scant details exist regarding his early life; Eugenius was an intellectual, and a teacher of grammar and rhetoric. Perhaps he even taught the young Valentinian II, Augustus of the Western Roman Empire, whom Eugenius would later succeed. In any case, Eugenius’ skills landed him a job in the scrinium memoriale, the office responsible for drafting, publishing, and organizing all imperial documents. Eventually, Eugenius earned the title Magister Scrinorum (Master of Scribes), head of the department and directly reporting to the Augustus.
Eugenius’ military counterpart, the Magister Militum (Master of Soldiers), was Arbogast. He also acted as Valentinian’s guardian, appointed by the Eastern (and more senior) Augustus, Theodosius I. The strong-willed Arbogast dominated his Augustus, to the extent where the Magister Militum held de facto rule. After Valentinian’s death in 392 AD, it fell to Arbogast to decide on the imperial ascension. Having no interest in taking the throne for himself (he was happy being unofficial ruler, besides his Frankish descent disqualified him), Arbogast nominated his lettered Roman colleague, Eugenius.
Unfortunately, nobody recorded Arbogast’s rationale. The decision must have seemed at least unusual, if not shocking; Eugenius – perhaps surprised himself - had no imperial blood within him. Even so, Eugenius accepted the nomination, likely with an understanding that Arbogast would rule from behind the throne
Whereas his predecessors choose among patricians and other of Rome's police elite, Eugenius placed engineers and intellectuals in the highest civil offices. Although a Christian, Eugenius tolerated polytheism. The new imperial regime sowed bonds with local barbarians such the Franks and Alemanni. With their newly increased ranks, the Western Roman Empire’s troops were able to pacify the eastern barbarians across the Rhine, even without a fight.
Despite these successes, Eugenius and Arbogast never earned the endorsement of their counterpart in the Eastern Roman Empire. Eastern Augustus Theodosius initially paid lip service to Eugenius’ ambassadors of good will; meanwhile, he gathered a formidable force to remove the “pagan” usurper and place a proper Christian, namely his young son Honorius, on the western throne. In 394 AD, Theodosius met up with Eugenius and Arbogast, and the forces of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires fought a great battle rife with religious overtones. The west lost, at least in part due to a strong opposing wind that, of course, the east interpreted as divine aid. Arbogast committed suicide, and Eugenius was captured and slain.
The entire Roman Empire, from west to east, was now united - for the last time - under a single Augustus, Valentinian; polytheism was gone for good. Mere months later, Valentinian died, leaving the Empire to be divided yet again, this time between his young sons. Within a decade, peace along the Rhine border collapsed, and eastern barbarians renewed the attack. In response, the Western Roman Empire focused on Italy’s defense, to the expense of protecting outer provinces, such as Britannia. The latter became more vulnerable to raids and invasions, a situation that likely prompted the original owners of the Gussage All Saints hoard to bury their treasure.
Coin Details: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Eugenius. AD 392-394. AR Siliqua (16mm, 1.47 g, 12h). Treveri (Trier) mint. NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse:Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, D N EVGENIVS P F AVG, Reverse: Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear, VIRTVS ROMANORVM, TRPS in exergue, References: RIC IX 106d; RSC 14†a; ex-2010 Gussage All Saints Hoard (PAS Ref. DOR-A1CCB1; NC 171 [2011], no. 54).