Who's Your Favorite 3rd Century Emperor?

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Poor Emperor Valerian being used as a footstool be Shapur I, by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Romans captured after the battle of Eddessa were put to work building a large dam and bridge in Iran, the ruins of which still stand.

 

Nice silver ants of gallienus!

 

Thanks for the great thread, ancient coin hunter! I'll post my big Galerius. I'm still amazed by the size of this coin. My apologies, I've exaggerated it a bit (but not much) in the montage.

 

Wow! Lovely presentation @Deacon Ray ! And I'm glad that you are enjoying the thread.

 

Maximinus Thrax:

RI Maximinus Thrax 235-238 CE AR Denarius Victory stndg

Gordian III

RI Gordian III 238-244 CE AE As 25mm Hercules S-C
(I regret no Gordian I or Gordian II)

Elagabalus:

RI Elagabalus 218-222 CE AR Antoninianus Radiate Roma seated

LOL, so many different stories. I have always been curious.

 

Possibly my cro-magnon Gallienus:


Gallienus, 253 – 268 AD
Æ Antoninianus, Rome Mint, 20mm, 2.18 grams
Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate head of Gallienus right.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing right holding spear and globe, Q in right field.

References:
RIC321

Cost:
$10

Provenance:
Ebay, 2011

 

Great presentation as usual @Deacon Ray! Is that a wooden reproduction Gladius that you painted/stained? If so, that is excellent work.

 

Thank you, jamesicus! The sword image is a stock photo. I subscribe to iStock and Alamy stock photos. I do all of the graphics for the church where I serve as a deacon.

 

I thought it was one of those reproductions of Maximus' gladius from the movie gladiator!

 

I don't know. I have more Gordian III's but Favorite on merit is probably good ol' Sept Sev.
Just a couple of faves from each
G III

SEPT. SEV.

 

I'd have to go with Severus as well.

 

Nice coin! Here's my similar Gordian III, but year 3.

 

I find the stories about the brothers Geta & Caracalla very interesting. As well as how Elagabalus came to power and his successor, Severus Alexander. So much drama!

 

There are too many to choose just one. Septimius was always my favorite but I consider him 2nd century. I like Postumus but he might not be Roman. Same with Carausius. The most significant ruler, IMO, was Diocletian who recognized that the Roman mess needed some order and developed a plan that would have worked if only he could have found co-emperors who believed in the plan. I wonder how things might have been different if he had been willing to share with Carausius.

 

So many interesting characters during this period, but I will pick Sep Sev, Macrinus, and Severus Alexander. Why? As my grandson might say: "just acuse".


SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: FVNDATOR PACIS, Septimius, togate and veiled, standing left holding olive branch
Struck at Rome, 202-210 AD
3.3g, 18mm,
RIC 265, RSC 205, BMC 330


MACRINUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate & cuirassed bust with short beard right
REVERSE: PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P, Securitas standing left, holding scepter & leaning on column
Struck at Rome, 217 AD
3.15, 20mm
RIC 24, RSC 62, BMC 40


SEVERUS ALEXANDER
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: P M TR P X COS III P P, Sol, radiate. standing left with raised hand and globe
Struck at Rome, 231 AD
3.4g, 20mm
RIC 109

 

Thank you @Deacon Ray. I have purchased similar replica Gladii on the Internet on occasion and modified them in a similar fashion -- but not as nice as the one you feature:

Wooden replica Gladius

As often modified and used for displays and as props in plays etc.



Bare wood as purchased on the Internet



Similar one painted and stained by me

And, your graphics are superb!

 

Oh my goodness, I am losing it for sure! Old age is taking its toll on my mind. I forgot all about Diocletian who is one of my primary heroes! (of course my ultimate hero, Constantius, wasn't Augustus until the 4th century -- in 305 -- and then only for just over one year).

 

I admire Diocletian for his attempt to introduce the concept of a peaceful transition of power to the Roman system. Since this did not happen until the 4th century, I suppose I should not have selected him but it just shows how artificial it is to divide history into meaningless periods. Perhaps the natural breaks would be Domitian-Nerva (96), Commodus-Pertinax (193) and Carinus-Diocletian (284 makes a short century but it was fun filled). Diocletian was the last emperor of the old school and the first of the new. Maybe the correct split was as used in RIC for coins when he reformed the coins and the economy. 294 fits the concept of 96/193/294 century breaks.

 

Of course the one depicted by @Deacon Ray may be a "fully functional" replica replete with a steel blade and brass pommel fittings.