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Fifth century AD was a turbulent time for Rome. The Eternal City suffered sacks by the Visigoths (in 410 AD) and the Vandals (in 455 AD) before deposition of the last claimant to her throne (Romulus Augustulus, in 476 AD), and the Western Empire’s final dissolution into various successor factions. Among the latter were the Vandals, originally an eastern Germanic tribe forced westward into Roman Empire territory by the rampaging Huns around 400 AD. The next migration was southward, in response to the invading Visigoths. By mid 5th century AD and the reign of King Genseric, the Vandals had firmly established themselves in North Africa and the western Mediterranean.
Genseric died in 477 AD and was succeeded by his eldest son, Huneric. Early in his reign, Huneric, an Arian Christian, made peace with the Roman Empire, wherein Orthodox Christianity dominated. Over time, however, Huneric reversed his stance, with his persecutions of non-Arians ranging from banishments to executions. Huneric’s atrocities included the murder of many of his own kin. By his death in 484 AD, few male dynasts remained besides his nephew, Gunthamund, who subsequently claimed the Vandal throne.
Gunthamund struck this rare coin sometime during his reign, circa 484-496 AD. The obverse diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust can be positively identified by the accompanying epithet DN RX GVNTHA. Many aspect of this coin, which was valued at 25 Roman denarii according to the reverse inscription, reflect the Empire’s influence, such as employment of the perambulatory
Dominus Noster.
Such numismatic designs might seem unusual for an aggressive barbarian tribe contributing to the Western Roman Empire’s downfall. Traditionally, history has viewed the Vandals through an eponymous lens. More recent research, however, suggests at least some Vandalic rehabilitation. Particularly during the reign of Gunthamund and his successor, Thrasamund, the level of prosperity and intellectual sophistication achieved has been described as a Vandal renaissance. It probably helped that during much of this period the Vandals' most potent rivals - Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and the Byzantine Empire – preoccupied themselves in military conflict.
As an example of Vandal literati, consider Dracontius, whose posts included
advocatus to Carthage’s proconsul as well as imperial court poet. Draconius famously got himself into serious trouble for his panegyric regarding a certain
ignotum dominum. The latter’s identity remains unknown. While some speculate Eastern Emperor Anastasius or Zeno, or, alternatively, Germanic King Odovacar or Ostrogoth King Theoderic, perhaps the most logical subject of the panegyric was none other than Huneric. In any case, Gunthamund took umbrage, and evidently placed Dracontius under house arrest. While incarcerated, Draconius authored two works,
Satisfactio and
De Laudibus Dei. The former is an apology to Gunthamund, lauding the merits of mercy and examples thereof, and the latter is broader exposition on the theme of God’s mercy. The following is an example excerpt translated from the
Satisfactio.
Learned and eloquent writing is said to be like the bees, to whom it is given that
they have the power to wound, hives and honey-combs. Wax gives children their talent, the origin of understanding, thence it comes that letters can either do good or evil.
This passage is one of many from
Satisfactio alluding to prior classical literary works. In this case, Dracontius’ employment of
castra (for beehive) echoes the same device in Virgil’s
Aeneid. That epic, written during Augustus’ time, chronicled Rome’s founding after the fall of Troy, linking those cities’ heroes and deities to the Empire’s own founding Julio-Claudian dynasty. Dracontius endeavored to cater to Gunthamund’s intellect and Roman sensibilities, even if the effort failed to secure his release at that time (the poet was finally released during Thrasamund’s reign).
Dracontius’ works are rife with such references to the classical Roman world and demonstrate the author’s erudition, as well as that of his intended audience, namely his fellow Vandals, particularly Gunthamund. Although the Western Empire had dissolved by the end of 5th century AD, its traditions and institutions endured.
Additional Reading: ML Tizzoni, The Poems of Dracontius in the Vandalic and Visigothic Contexts, 2012.
Coin Details: VANDALS, Gunthamund, 484-496, AR 25 Denarii (11mm, 0.32 g, 6h), Carthage, NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, DN RX GVNTHA, Reverse: D N / • / XXV in three lines; – above; all within wreath, References: MEC 1, 11; BMC Vandals 8.