The Italian Emperor

Born in 206 CE to an old Etruscan family in Italy, Gaius Vibius Afinius Trebonianus Gallus rose through the Cursus Honorum during the reigns of Gordian III, Philip I, and Decius to become Consul in 250 CE.
Gallus was so trusted by Emperor Decius that he appointed Gallus to the Governorship of Moesia. This was the same province that had raised Decius to the purple a year earlier, so you can see how much Decius trusted him.

The goths had been raiding Imperial territory since the chaotic year of six emperors in 238 CE, these raids had intensified during the later reign of Philip I. In 250 the goths sacked the city of Philippopolis, prompting a direct Imperial response. During this time, Gallus did his best to stop the invaders, sometimes he failed other times he succeeded, but he was doing his best. Emperor Trajan Decius engaged the goths numerous times in 250/1, the results were bloody stalemates. Unfortunately, Decius and his son were killed at the Battle of Abritus in 251. This was the first time in the Empire's history that an Emperor had been killed in the field of battle by barbarians. The tattered Legions declared the highest ranking surviving official to the purple, Gallus.
Later Roman historians claim that Gallus actually betrayed Decius and the Moesian legions at Abritus, these claims are most likely false. Had Gallus, who personally fought in the battle, betrayed the legions then they most likely would have torn him limb from limb, not acclaim him Emperor.
Gallus made a humiliating peace with the goths and made his way to Rome to consolidate his power. In Rome he found the late Emperor Decius's younger son, Hostilian. Gallus took the high ground and instead of risking a civil war and killing the boy, he made him Caesar (Junior Emperor). Unfortunately, a massive smallpox plague struck Rome in 251. Some reports say that 5,000 people were dying a day in Rome during the height of the pandemic. Hostilian was one of the victims of the plague and was one of the few Emperor's to die a "natural death" during the Crisis of the 3rd Century. Gallus is reported to have given even the poorest of the poor a decent burial.

It was during this time that Sharpur I invaded the Roman east and sacked a number of cities. The Roman garrisons were completely taken off guard; when Gallus heard of the disaster he responded with indifference. Mike Duncain of the History of Rome podcast says that perhaps if Gallus had lived long enough he would have eventually made his way east. We shall never know though.
In 253 the goths demanded an increase in tribute, Gallus refused and the goths promptly began to raid Thrace and Moesia again. Though this time they suffered a catastrophic defeat by a Roman General named Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus.
Predictably, the Legions acclaimed Aemilian Emperor after his stunning victory. Gallus and his son Volusian were either defeated by Aemilian and then executed or killed by their own troops in northern Italy. Aemilian would rule for about a month until Valerian put him down, but that's a story for another day.
It's worth noting that Gallus was one of the few Emperors after Nerva that was of pure Italian stock. I find it fascinating how the Empire was able to absorb and assimilate provincials into the Empire so quickly.

Sources
http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/trebonianus.html

http://www.roman-emperors.org/trebgall.htm

What ole Gallus looked like.
A rare surviving bronze statue of Emperor Trebonianus Gallus


My final coin of 2015!!



Date: C, 251-253 CE
Rev: PAX AVGVS, Pax standing facing, head left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter
Size: 22 mm
Weight: 2.83g
Ref: RIC V 86 var
Condition: Grainy surfaces with clear detail
Antioch mint.

Please post your coins of Trebonianus Gallus!

 

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Nice writeup and cool coin, especially since it's from antioch.


Trebonianus Gallus, 251-253 AD
AR Antoninianus
O: IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate draped bust right.
R: AETERNITAS AVGG, Aeternitas standing left, holding phoenix on globe and hem of robe.
Rome Mint 253 A.D.
4.2g
22mm
RIC 30; RSC 13


Trebonianus Gallus (251 - 253 A.D.)
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch
Billon Tetradrachm
O: AUTOK K G OUIB TREB GALLOS SEB,Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; • below.
R: DHMARC EX OUSIAS, EEagle standing facing, head and tail right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; A between legs. SC in exergue.
Antioch Mint
11.84g
25mm
McAlee 1173a; Prieur 657

 

Thanks mat.

 

Antioch mint...2nd officinae. Mind those two dots bottom left of TG and under Pax

 

Thanks M.M.
There was a song in the 70's from Fleetwood Mac (Rumours Album) with the title "You Make Lovin' Fun" - Well, "You Make Learnin' Fun" - Thank-you.

 

Here are three from Gallus (last one Antioch), one Volusian and a provincial of Aemilian from Antioch, Pisidia --- I do not have an Imperial of his. Thanks for the good write-up.


For KIWITI: The number is little but this show they went to a V for five on 5 and 6. I do not have anything over VI. Anyone? Metal on some of these is terrible billon. It took a real dive during Gallus' reign.

 

Super nice coin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You can admire them for a long time!!!!

 

Thanks for the kind words, folks!
Love the coins Mat, Doug.

They are one of my favourite bands!

 

Excellent write up. I think I might pinch it to add to my info on Emperors related to my coins, I shall give you credit

 

Yep! I think you may like this paper.
http://www.academia.edu/3784962/A_t...peared_and_the_debasement_of_the_antoninianus

 

@Pishpash I am flattered

 

@M.M.

Here is my only Trebonius Gallus - his face is a bit 'scarred' but I like it.

 

Also a billon Tet from Antioch. Prieur 659.

 

Very nice, TC!
The purity and quality really went to hell in a hand basket after Decius died.

 

Thanks, interesting read.

 

Wonderful coin and write-up....I never tire of reading about a coins historical context----it brings it all back to life.

My only example from an old photo:

 

Very nice coins, MZ & 7C!

 

TG´s officinae marks go: . / .. / ... / .... or IV / V / VI / VII and (most unusual) IIV

I don´t have more than one of these, but OMNI (http://www.wikimoneda.com/OMNI/revues/OMNI_8_SI2.pdf) has published an interesting article from a friend of mine (in spanish) regarding several emperors: "Las acuñaciones de la ceca de Antioquía bajo los reinados de Decio Trajano y su familia y de Treboniano Galo y Volusiano (249-253 d.C.)".

 

Wow MM, great write up, awesome coin, kind of surprised that Steve didn't comment on the statue.

 

Just give him a day or so.