Owner Comments:
When Ostrogoth King Athalaric died in 534 AD, no one was officially assigned to take his place. The immediate task of keeping the Kingdom running was incumbent upon Athalaric’s mother, Amalasuintha. Amalasuintha was no stranger to leadership. She already had years of experience dating back to her selection as reagent when her ten-year-old son ascended the throne. Even so, Amalasuintha’s long-term job stability was problematic in the context of a prideful, male-dominated Ostrogothic nobility that disdained her friendship with Byzantine Emperor Justinian. To avoid a crisis, a
consortium regni was established whereby the crown would be shared by a duumvirate. In addition to Amalasuintha, the co-regency also comprised her elderly cousin Flavius Theodahatus, more commonly known as Theodahad (~480-536 AD).
Whereas Amalasuintha’s education and previous on-the-job experience were well-suited for the
consortium regni position, Theodahad’s qualifications seemed not as good a fit. Even though he had royal blood as the nephew of Theoderic the Great, Theodahad lacked the prerequisite education and military training. Apparently, his uncle never seriously considered him an heir to the crown. Instead, Theodahad made his mark as a wealthy landowner whose business tactics were reportedly highly shady, achieving his goals by violent means when necessary.
Apparently, Theodahad’s tactics as co-regent were underhanded as well. After a brief period of co-rule, Amalasuintha was confined to Martana island in Lake Bolesena. Shortly thereafter, she was assassinated. Although not certain, it seems likely that Theodahad was complicit in his co-reagent’s demise. In any case, Theodahad emerged as the sole ruler of the Ostrogoth Kingdom.
The change in Ostrogoth leadership provided a noble - and convenient – excuse for Augustus Justinian to invading Italy towards re-establishing the Roman Empire in the West. At first, Justinian’s quest to revenge Amalasuintha met some resistance. But the tide of the Gothic War turned as Justintian’s forces made steady gains. After losing control of Sicily, a desperate Theodahad tried to improve his lot. He offered to surrender Italy in exchange for lenient treatment for himself in Constantinople. For uncertain reasons, this generous offer was not consummated, perhaps blocked by stubborn Gothic nobles.
Theodahad’s weak and embarrassing performance under pressure placed him in a precarious situation with the Ostrogoth nobility. In a effort to bolster his image, Theodahad struck coins, including this copper decanummium produced in Rome circa 534-536 AD. The attribution is confirmed on the reverse, featuring a wreath encircling the inscription on four lines D N / THEODA / HATHVS / REX, denoting
Dominus Noster Theodahatus Rex, or “Our Lord, King Theodahad.” For the obverse, Theodahad chose a design reminiscent of his predecessors Theoderic and Athalaric - the helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma (the personification of Rome), her defiant gaze complemented by the epithet INVICTA ROMA, signifying “unconquered Rome.” Perhaps such obverse imagery was an attempt to rally the Ostrogoth troops and dispel any doubts about Theodahad’s military prowess.
Following the pattern of ancient Rome, this coin provides yet another example of propaganda that turned out to be ironic. After sacks of the previous century by Visigoth King Alaric (410 AD) and Vandal King Geoseric (455 AD), it was clear that the Eternal City was vulnerable after all.
So, too, had Theodahad become vulnerable.
In 536 AD, disaffected aristocrats decided it was time for regime change, and Theodahad was subsequently deposed and killed.
Additional Reading:
Political Culture of Ostrogothic Italy in a Numismatic Perspective, Hans Tore Hindrum, 2014, Master Thesis, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie, UiO.
Coin Details: OSTROGOTHS, Theodahad, 534-536, Æ Decanummium (17mm, 2.87 g, 6h), Rome, NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma right, INVICTA ROMA, Reverse: D N / THEODA / HATHVS / REX in four lines; all within wreath, with X at wreath ties, References: COI 90; MEC 1, 144; MIB I 82.