Featured Most Underrated Roman Ruler

Oftentimes we write about our favorite ruler, king, emperor queen or empress and their numismatic connection or significance. I like it when we combine our hobby with other interests. Several times I have seen posted things like the most able ruler of Ancient times, the best Byzantine emperor, the worst Roman ruler, that sort of thing. I would like to propose that we write about the most underrated ruler of Ancient Rome, Republic or Empire. Tell us why you think that person was a great but unrecognized, uncelebrated, ignored ruler and then, if you have any, post some coins associated with that personage.

Before I mention my choice, a few words about getting noticed or ignored in history. Historians write for an audience. They like to be published, read, quoted, cited and, if they have learned one thing, from Herodotus to Gibbon, it is that human beings want to read about the odd, bizarre, the weird, even the despicable, the dissolute, and the wicked. Human nature at its finest. For every historian who has written about Antoninus Pius there are twenty who have written about Nero or Caligula. Biographies of bad people, doing terrible things, sell copy. Suetonius, Tacitus, Livy well understood this. Whether they actually believed all the negative matters they wrote about Octavian, Tiberius, or Domitian, was immaterial. That sort of thing made their subjects interesting and their writings popular and themselves renowned as writers. The result of this is that Roman historians (and readers) tended to be uninterested in rulers whose reigns were dull, conventional, or just peaceful.

But there is more to this than that. First Century AD Century Roman rulers were fortunate to be reigning during the Silver Period of Roman literature when Rome produced excellent writers. Just about any Roman Emperor of that period, well maybe not Nerva, could be made to be good reading. Early Third Century emperors like Septimius Severus or Caracalla were in many ways at least the equal of Frist Century emperors in negative traits but just are not as well known because either there were fewer capable historians to write about their lives and reigns or, if there were quality writers of their lives, their books have not survived. It becomes increasingly difficult to evaluate Roman rulers as the Third Century progresses as the quality of Roman historians seems to be in as much decline and fall as the empire they lived in. By the time we get to Ammianus it might as well have been grocery store tabloids that they have left us to judge their emperors by. It very well may be that the most capable of Roman emperors was not Augustus or Trajan but some obscure, (to us at any rate), emperor who ruled for almost fourteen years and was murdered by his mutinous troops because he was doing a fantastic job under terrible conditions but whose troops resented not being able to pillage their own cities and were kept usefully employed by incessant drilling and road building. if that emperor were leading a decent life, not slaughtering family members, not throwing wild parties and not hiring actors for the civil service, keeping the barbarians at bay and resettling refugees on reclaimed abandoned farms, who would write about him, what historian would care to try publishing that, and that assuming there was a writer capable of doing this.

Which brings us to the man I think is the most underrated Roman ruler, an emperor who found himself thrust into the office, eventually on his own with no one else to lean on, confronted with a half dozen would be Caesars salivating to be his replacement, hordes of German barbarians swarming the Danube and Rhine defenses while, already across the Euphrates, the iron mailed Persians were at the gates of Antioch making for the Bosporus. Some of you have guessed that the Emperor I write of is Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus. I think that anyone examining this man's reign will recognize that few rulers have had to deal with so much going wrong and at the same time turning so much of it around. A Hellenist, a student of philosophy and the liberal arts, Gallienus found himself co-emperor with his father, Valerian, when it seems difficult for us to believe that anyone would want to be a Roman Emperor. But he rose to the challenge in ways as rare as Alfred the great rising to meet the Danes, or Churchill to the Nazis and like them he pulled it off, if saving the empire from dissolution was his goal. He helped establish an equilibrium on the Euphrates by countenancing a deal with a Palmyrene king, Odenathius, who respected Gallienus enough not to make a complete break with Rome in doing it. He tolerated a usurper in the newly seceded Gallic Empire under the usurper Postumus who, despite having executed the son of Gallienus, was left alone because he could defend that region better than Gallienus could. It was he who recognized that the Roman Army must change to meet the new kind of fighting it now faced. At first he increased the number of cavalry attached to each legion and then created all cavalry units that operated independently of legionary infantry, to cut off barbarians returning to their side of the frontiers loaded down with their captured loot. And he left his throne for one of those saddles, suffering two battle wounds, one of which almost killed him. Many of these mounted troops were now as well armored as the Persian cataphracts they faced in the East. And all of this while trying to put the empire back again after the ravages of Cyprian's plague took a quarter of the population away. And then, miserably murdered by his own troops for heavens only knows what petty reasons. And what was his epitaph for doing this? Pretty much ignominy. The Catholic Encyclopedia labels him indolent, fond of pleasure, cruel, ineffective. Yes, his father, Valerian had conducted an anti Christian persecution (which took the life of the martyr, St. Cyprian of Carthage, the Cyprian of the plague named for him) but oddly enough Gallienus had called off the persecution when he took over from his captured and imprisoned father, Valerian.

No, unfortunately he had no scandal seeking court historian to gloat over his peccadillos, no Procopius with a secret history to snicker over, no Vergil to sing of his arms, conquests and battles. Not so much castigated, not so much pilloried or praised as ignored, forgotten and underrated. Such is the conclusion of Cleo, the muse of history.

Below are some coins associated with Gallienus. On the top, from the left, a double denarius of his father, Valerian who, upon becoming emperor, chose him as his co-emperor. Notice the reverse which resembles the Caius and Lucius denarius of Augustus. It shows Valerian and Gallienus facing each other with their hands on shields.Next a sestertius of Gallienus with a well worn reverse of VIRTVS AVGG showing it was issued when both were still ruling together (Two G's). And the third coin on top is a double denarius of Gallienus with Diana carrying a torch. On the second line, from the left is another now, almost completely debased silver double denarius of Gallienus and on the reverse an appeal to Jove, IVOVI STATORI (maybe it worked). In the middle is a double denarius of Salonina, his empress wife and Ceres on the reverse. And lastly a better grade of silver double denarius of his contemporary rival, the break away Gallic emperor, Postumus, proclaiming the FELICITAS of the emperor. Hope you enjoyed the post and that you will tell us about the man you think is the most underrated Roman ruler.

 

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Thanks! I read more at Wikipedia and Livius.
I found this portrait at The Louvre:

https://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/portrait-emperor-gallienus
"This blunt, straighforward portrait of the emperor Gallienus was created at the beginning of his reign, when he inherited a significantly weakened Roman Empire. The portrait's typology indicates the emperor's desire to project himself as an inspired, powerful leader. This effigy was clearly intended as a piece of authoritarian propaganda. Through its borrowings from the Greek sculptural canon, it is also the artistic testimony of an emperor who was a noted lover of Greek culture."

The Historia Augusta is much more condemnatory.
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Historia_Augusta/Gallieni_duo*.html
But, all in all, I accept your final judgment. He did well, considering the circumstances.

 

I for one remember Gallienus as the only emperor with a bunch of grapes stuck on his neck.

 

As you may know the author, or authors, of the Historia Augusta are not considered reliable, often employing invective for insight.

 

Great thread idea! Gallienus is a great choice for a guy who had his back up against it but kept it together. WISH we knew more about the man.
Clearly this is an obvious one, buuuuut Aurelian has got to win the title of pound for pound toughest, baddest and most conquering emperors of all time. Ol’ “Hand on hilt” gave more bang for the buck in 5 years than any Augustus or Tyson, Chavez Sr or Achilles for that matter.



Guy picked up the remains of a Rome splintered Into 4 different pieces, with a little help from another short lived wonder, Claudius II Gothicus, his predecessor, to bringing Rome back to its resplendent glory. Sadly, only to die a death that would be hilarious if it weren’t so damned frustrating!


Aurelian
Pisidia. Kremna AD 270-275.
Bronze Æ 32mm., 14,18g. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Facing statue of Artemis Ephesia, with supports. nearly very fine Cf. Von Aulock, Pisidien II 1621-3.
Ex Savoca London

AURELIAN
270-275CE Antoninianus. Siscia. Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG.
Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI.
Emperor standing right, holding scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left, holding scepter.
RIC 227. Condition: Extremely fine, some silvering.
Weight: 2.31 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.






Aurelian
270-275 AD CE
Antoninianus. 274 AD Cyzicus.
VS: Imp C AVRELIANVS avg. Bust with Ray Crown and tank right.
RS: ORIENS avg/XXI. Sol with raised right and globe standing to the left, tied captive to his feet.


Aurelian
270-275
Antoninianus Rome. Gall'scheoffizin 1. Av.: Imp AVRELIANVS AVG, armored bust with Ray Crown right. RV.: RESTITVT Orbis, Kaiser receives wreath of woman. Ric: 53

Aurelian
270-275 CE Siscia. Antoninianus. Armored bust with Ray Crown R. RS: Fortuna enthrones L. With rudder and cornucopia, on the side wheel. C. 95. R.I.C. 220

 

I always thought Tiberius never really gets his due....he was one of the first great generals of the imperial period but his military accomplishments are often overlooked now and when he was alive.

 

I'm a big Gallienus fan and actively collect his coins. I have several dozen but, in honor of the anniversary of the founding of Rome (April 21), I will show this one:

 

I have no idea how I ended up with so many of this guy, (since I do not focus on the Empire period).


RI Gallienus AE silvered Ant 21mm 2.7g Radiate CuirassedR - Jupiter L tbolt X RIC 214



RI Gallienus Silvered Æ Ant CE 263-264 AVG rad cuiras R Hercules R lion skin club star RIC 673



RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Milan mint Laetitia



RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Abundantia

 

To me that bust looks like Probus! How solid is the ID on it?

 

I agree with your estimate of Aurelian. Had he lived a normal lifespan and reigned another ten years or so we would be ranking him up there with the best. It really is a shame that there was no good historian of these emperors and Probus, too, while we are at it.

 

A fun thread and a nice set of coins @kevin McGonigal - the nod to Augustus particularly interesting. I add a vote for Gallienus as most underrated - being handed a mess, fending off multiple challengers and invaders, reorganizing the army, growing an equestrian class, increasing tolerance of Christianity, "scandalously" tolerating Salonina's opinions, and there are even claims that he and Salonina fostered a "Gallienic Renaissance" influencing art and philosophy.

Somehow, he survived 8 years as sole emperor and 15 years overall at a challenging time, lasting longer than a dozen emperors before and almost a dozen emperors after between Severus Alexander and Diocletian. Diocletian of course decided the job required a Tetrarchy. Some of Gallienus' efforts didn't endear him to the senate - which probably wasn't good for his reputation.

Historia Augusta authors are clearly not fans: "I am by this time ashamed to tell how many tyrants there were in the reign of Gallienus, all on account of the vices of that pestiferous man, for such, indeed, were his excesses that he deserved to have many rebels rise up against him, and such his cruelty that he was rightly regarded with fear." For context, a comment from Livius.org : "Historia Augusta is something like an ancient mockumentary".

Gallienus, AD 253-268. AE Antoninianus
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head of Gallienus to right
Rev: LAETITIA AVG, Laetitia standing left, holding wreath in her right hand and anchor in her left

Gallienus, AD 253-268 AD, BI Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria, dated year 9
Obv: AVT K P LIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, Laureate and cuirassed bust to right
Rev: ENATOY L, Eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak; palm over shoulder
Ref: Dattari 5286; Geissen 2908

 

Had he died a few years after Augustus only his military successes would have been known to us ( and they were considerable). If he became something of an oddball, nasty, recluse later in life, there were understandable reasons.

 

I thought Gordian III, but it’s THE go to bust from Wikipedia to ancient.eu. I found an interesting note stating it might be Claudius II:
2] Bust of a Roman Emperor usually thought of as a bust of Claudius II, however there is a possibility that this bust is actually the bust of Aurelian, since the Roman who buried this would have probably buried a statue of Aurelian along with Claudius II and the other busts found in the Brescia temple. Features of the statue do match the face of Aurelian depicted on coins

 

I understand that there is a lacuna in the Alexandrian coinage indicating that for part of his reign (early on I believe) he did not control that city. Looks like that eagle has curled his feathers to match his master.

 

I would be interested in hearing details of this if you can post a link. Emmett lists coins for him each year. I have six diffrent years. Can others here fill in the set?
3

9 spelled out - does anyone have the HA additive?


13


and for Salonina

5


11


14

 

Gallienus Av reduced Aureus or Av Quinarius 266-267 A.D. RIC 118 Golb 670b This Coin Rv Securitas stg l. leaning on low column. Biaggi 1471 This coin. Apostolo Zeno Collection I Lot 2019 June 1955 Photo by W. Hansen

 

What's your opinion of the claim that he did nothing to attempt to obtain his father's release from captivity? (Of course, as far as I know there's no proof that his father actually survived in captivity for any length of time.)

 

Wow, I've to admit this is the first time I've seen an attempt at restoring Gallienus's image. Usually the white-washing is reserved for Constantine and co. In my take he obviously deserves recognition for finesse in diplomacy and as an excellent strategist. If you've watched Game of Thrones he reminds me of a male counterpart to queen Cersei.

However, no one's ever going to call you a hero no matter how good you are at saving your own skin. And he didn't lift a finger to save either his Dad or his son Saloninus; an unforgivable crime not just to our modern eyes but clear across all cultures and historical accounts. The rest, well, that's open to interpretation but generally speaking most Roman emperors were bastards, if not outright psychopaths!

His coins rock though. Would love to get one of his aurei some day :- )

Rasiel

 

This is the important part. If I am looking at coins, I don't care if the issuer was a role model for children. Similarly I can enjoy music made by drug addled jerks without thinking I need to model my life after their lead.

My candidate is Pertinax. He did not want the job and did not elevate his family knowing full well that they would be more likely to survive without titles. I have known a couple people i believe would have made decent candidates for President of the US but they were smart enough to know they did not want the job. I know I don't.
Alexandria mint denarius / Providentia Deorum