Maximinus, original name Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus, also called Maximin or Maximinus Thrax (“The Thracian”), (born c. 173, Thrace [modern Bulgaria and portions of Turkey]—died 238, near Aquileia [now in Italy]), first soldier who rose through the ranks to become Roman emperor Maximinus was the commander of the Legio IV Italica when Severus Alexander was assassinated by his own troops in 235. The Pannonian army then elected Maximinus emperor. Here is one from my collection please post some of yours.
He was the first (and unfortunately not the last) lesson in the downsides of common soldiers picking their ruler! Here's mine:
I have owned a couple of them. The first one was certified. Then I upgraded this one. Maximinus was obviously a huge, powerful man for his time, but some of the descriptions make he sound like Paul Bunyan with comments like “nine feet tall.” Back in Rome, the upper class Romans were afraid of him. They had to have breathed a sign of relief when they heard that his men had killed him.
Maximinus, 235 - 238 AD Silver Denarius, Rome Mint, 20mm, 3.30 grams Obverse: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus right. Reverse: VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm. RIC16 Ex. Ken Dorney
Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of MAXIMINUS I between c. March 235 - January 236 A.D. Obv. IMP.MAXIMINVS.PIVS.AVG.: bust r., laur., dr., cuirassed. Rev. PROVIDENTIA.AVG.: Providentia stg. l., holding wand over globe and cornucopia. RCS #2345. RSCIII #77. RICIV #13. DVM #9.
Fun and informative thread, thanks for posting. Interesting time in ancient Rome, for sure. Maximinus-thrax would be a good name for a metal band, too, I think.
...nice coins of Max Thrax...i've a big sestertius of the big guy...and 1st coin received this year is one of his son...
