Nice thread! I enjoyed the history, congratulations on a superb siliqua, and I've got Hughes's book on my list now. I'll go with a coin I haven't posted before, although it's Valentinian II, an AE2 of Antioch...
@Alegandron I'm sorry but can you explain what you mean? Not trying to be thick headed, I just don't understand what you said.
LOL, True Bubba! True... MagMax... I was saying that your ORIGINAL coin that you upgraded from was a good coin. I like it. Aint you from N'Awlins?
Dont worry @Magnus Maximus! I want to see the Miliarense of @Brian Bucklan too Wath a nice coins @ValiantKnight!! splendid patinas and conservations! Woww!
For the part were I said only a select few Emperors led troops into battle, I intentionally left off Magnentius as he is /was considered a usurper. Though I somehow forgot to add Valens to the list, he did lead troops an a few occasions most notably at the disaster at Adrianople.
Agreed. But Marius was a "New Man", who fought to gain Senatorial Rank... but, yeah, that is correct. The reason for my thought, and not to be cruel for the times: The Roman Republic Legions WON an Empire... The Late Empire Legions LOST an Empire. And, NO, I am NOT opening a debate or shooting across any bow. Just an observation. I know folks enjoy the Late Empire time period as you do. I just look at the whole historical picture of the Roman Entity (Village, City, Republic, Empire, transferring power to Constantinople, etc.) and find the slow waning and finally the light extinguished from an Awesome Entity (The Western portion) is so sad. From the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BCE to the last of the Roman direct legacy with Constantinople falling in 1453 CE... over 2000 years of Roman Empire is fascinating. Yup, China was maybe 3000 years, but was many States. India was a long rich, history. Egypt was THOUSANDS of years, but Rome seemed to have captured a pinnacle for Human achievement whose legacy strongly influences many peoples worldwide even today. Just cool. In honor of the 4 major Human Entities that I mentioned: Roman Republic AR Didrachm 280-275 BCE Obv: Mars Rev: Horse Head ROMANO FIRST Silver coin of the Roman Republic China Qin Dynasty 220-180 BC AE Zhu Ban Liang Blank H7-7 Emperor Qin united China, with the name China derived from his name India, Shakya Janapada AR 5-Shana 6th-5th C BCE Probably struck at the time Buddha was the Prince of Shakya Ref-Hiramo-I-8-29 Egypt Steatite SCARAB Pharoah Thuthmosis III ca 1504-1450 BCE ex CNG ex David Hendin
I have to agree with Brian. For me, at least, there is something about the early Roman legions that inspire the imagination. The later legions, again for me, do not. But then again, my favorite time period for collecting is from 150AD backwards.
To be fair, circumstances were different. Drop the Republican army in 400 or 476 AD and they might not fair as well as you think. I like the Republican era, but it just simply doesn't capture my interest as the Late Empire. I know I'm in the minority and that I'm probably not taken seriously by other collectors as a result but whatever. I don't see myself changing my interests and I am glad to know specialists in this area of collecting.
I don't know of anyone that doesn't take you seriously. I respect your knowledge of the era in which you collect. I suspect most CTers do as well.
I think it is important to treat all collectors and their chosen collections with respect. The diversity of people and of collections is what provides interest, discussion and a sense of community.