I managed to pick up both volumes of "History of the Byzantine Empire" by A.A. Vasiliev from Wayne G. Sayles' vcoins site about a month ago. He had both books reasonably priced for the cost of one volume I could find anywhere else. I haven't managed to get too far into it yet thanks to job, kids, life, and what-not. What I have read so far is interesting since he starts with Constantine I making Constantinople the capital of the Eastern Empire. I have always considered Constantine I to be a "Roman" emperor but I understand how the distinction between Eastern and Western empire started the split which led to the "Byzantine Empire" as we know it. Volume 1 covers Constantine I up the the Macedonian Dynasty. I'm looking forward to reading more if/when I ever get any free time. Since Volume I starts with Constantine, here is a follis of Constantine I. Sadly, we don't have a coin of his that was minted in Constantinople. However, here is a great one minted in Londinium featuring a helmeted Constantine and 2 Victories. Constantine I 319-320 AD Follis (2.98g, 17.8mm) Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS AG, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, spear over far shoulder Reverse: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar decorated with diamond Mintmark: PLN ex @dougsmit Feel free to post anything you deem relevant: coins from Constantine up through the Macedonian Dynasty or other good books on Byzantium. Whatever floats your boat
Looks like an interesting read! I like the reverse of that coin with the two victories holding the shield. Constantine I. AE Follis. 2.80g. 19mm. 328-329 A.D. Nicomedia Mint. Pearl-diademed head right, CONSTAN-TINVS AVG / Campgate with 7 layers of blocks surmounted by two turrets, no doors; 8-pointed star above; in ex.: SMNΔ PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG. RIC VII 153.
How about a CONSTANTINOPOLI(S) commemorative from Constantinople? Constantinople, RIC vii p. 582, 79.
My favorite reference source for Byzantine history are the three books by John Julius Norwich. His books are entertaining & his info is well researched.
@Andres2 In your Anastasius follis description, it says "Justinianus his bodyguard" inherited the throne after Anastasius. Was it Justin I, rather than Justinian I?
Emperor Alexius (AD 1081-1118) had the misfortune to be the man in charge when the soldiers of the First Crusade passed through Byzantium in AD 1096-1097 leaving a lot of destruction in their wake. Alexius Electrum Histamenon Christ Electrum, 30 mm, 4.35 gm, struck: AD 1082-1087 Constantinople Electrum is an alloy of gold and silver Obverse: Christ facing on throne, IC to left and XC to right Reverse: Crowned bust of Alexius facing, holding scepter surmounted by star and globe with cross AΛEΞIꞶ ΔECΠOT TꞶ KM (Alexios Despot, "TꞶ KM" is "Of Comnenus")
Alexius Comnenus is one of my favorite Byzantine emperors. His daughter, Anna, wrote quite an amazing biography of him. One of the world's first women historians. Here is a Tetateron of Alexius:
EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE BZ Andronicus II - Michael IX AD 1295-1320 AR Basilikon 22mm 2.1g Constantinople Christ enthroned labarum DOC V 1 Class VIII BZ Manuel I Comnenus 1143-1180 CE Aspron Trachy 35mm 4g Christ Gospels Labaran globus cruciger Virgin maphorium SB 1966 scyphate
This is a very timely thread for me as I just purchased Sear's Byzantine Coins and their Values and was looking for a companion history book.. I think I will pick up the three volumes by John Julius Norwich. Thank you @Al Kowsky for the tip! (just ordered the first 2 books in the series for $25 combined including shipping - used of course )
The 3 volume set by norwich is excellent, however he does have a shorter volume that highlights the 3 books. If you are limited on your time to read you might find that to be advantageous. https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30991511357&searchurl=an=Julius+norwich&sortby=17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title16 Here is one of the famous emperors . 1966 Manuel I AE Aspron Trachy S-1966 DOC 13 Manuel I AE Trachy S-1966 DOC 13
Oh yes thank you - I did see that. But I am more than happy to take my time and add the 3 volumes to my reading list. I got nothing else going on.. I just noticed your avatar coin (or medal) picture @BenSi .. do you mind sharing some info about it? Interesting!
