Claudius II Gothicus: First of the military Emperors during the crisis of the 3rd Century

The year was 268 CE, and a battered and disappointed Emperor Gallienus, the son of Roman aristocrat and former Emperor Valerian, was once again on campaign dealing with multiple Barbarian invasions, the loss of several key provinces in the west to what we now know as "The Gallic Empire", and an aristocracy that was openly hostile to the emperor. Gallienus was not long for this world, for these were the turbulent times of the "Crisis of the 3rd Century," where Emperors came and went at the blink of an eye, and turning your back on your subordinates for more than a few seconds was a death sentence to any emperor.


Gallienus
AE Tetradrachm
Alexandria Mint

Sure enough, Gallienus left his tent unescorted and was seriously wounded by some of his own officers in a coup attempt. It is said that before he died, he named Claudius II as his successor, but other sources say he was elected by the army. Either way, the Senate did not oppose him as aristocrats were fed up with a series of bad or mediocre aristocratic emperors who has brought the empire to the brink of collapse.



My new coin of Claudius II Gothicus:


Claudius II Gothicus, AD 268-270.
Æ Antoninianus, 17mm, 3.3g, 12h; Rome mint.
Obv.: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG; Radiate and draped bust right.
Obv.: IOVI VICTORI; Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter.
Reference: RIC Va 54, p. 215
Ex: YOC Collection

The first emperor of humble stock since Maximinus Thrax, Claudius II, unlike Maximinus proved a to be a capable emperor who could defend Rome and work with the nobles. Of military background, he was said to be a courageous and physically fit man. He was formerly a wrestler, and once knocked the teeth out of one of his opponents when the rival grabbed his genitals during a bout.

Claudius II set about punishing Galienus' murderers, and then proceeded to defeat a massive Gothic army that was threatening imperial territory. After this victory the Senate gave him the title Gothicus.

Claudius also stopped a full scale invasion by the Alamanni, for which he received the title "Germanicus Maximus," and then turned his attention towards the Gallic Empire.


Postumus
AR Antoninianus
Gallic Empire

In the wake of the overthrow of Postumus, the first Emperor of the Gallic Empire, Claudius II Gothicus invaded Hispania and scored major victories, returning Iberia under the control of the Roman Empire, and seriously weakening the Gallic Empire by their loss of the Iberian silver mines.

However, before he could plan further campaigns against the Gallic Empire, Claudius II Gothicus caught the plague and died, thus ending the short career of this brilliant military emperor. After him there would be 15 more years of chaos, but the subsequent military emperors that came after him proved equally as capable and slowly but surely pulled the empire out of chaos and the brink of collapse. Therefore, Caudius II Gothicus' legacy cannot be underestimated.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Great post, and coins Sallent

 

very nice winners
thanks for write-up

 

Wonderful writeup, nice coins. The new one has a very good style

In case you were wondering why was the dude called "gothicus", it's because it's written on the coin !!!


Claudius II "Gothicus", Antoninianus Cyzicus mint, AD 269.
IMP CLAVDIUS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
VICTORIAE GOTHIC, Two captives leaning besides a trophy.
3.08 gr
Ref : RCV # 11381; RIC V pt. 1 # 252; Cohen # 308
This antoninianus comemorates Claudius II' victory against Goths at Naissus, thus becoming "Gothicus"

Q

 

Very cool post @Sallent !!

I'll pile on with....

Gallienus, Claudius Gothicus, Max Thrax and Postumous:

 

Top topic and excellent coins, Sallent!
Here my two only Postumus:

This coin I recently bought from Sebastian Sondermann (vcoins): Antoninianus, struck 260/261 AD at Cologne mint.
Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: HERC DEVSONIENSI, Hercules standing right, with right hand leaning on club, and holding bow in left hand and lion's skin over left arm.
2,94 g, 22 mm.
RIC 64; Elmer 131; AGK (corr.) 25; Cunetio 2378.
This coin has a great interest to me, due my "batavian" origins. This Hercules was apparently worshipped by the ancient dutch (batavian) people.

RIC V 80. Antoninianus, Lugdunum mint (260-269 AD)
Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG
Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG

 

I won't re-post my Claudius from yesterday, but nice coins all. I particularly liked the history lesson @Sallent

 

All all those coins yours @Sallent ?

My only one:


Claudius II (Gothicus), AD 268 - 270
AE, antoninianus, 3.8g, 20mm; 11h; Rome, AD 269
Obv.: IMP C CLAUDIUS AVG; radiate, draped, curiassed bust right
Rev.: GENIVS AVG; Genius standing left by altar, holding patera and cornucopiae

 

Since @Mikey Zee has piles...

Gallienus, Claudius Gothicus, Max Thrax and Postumous;

And I will RAISE you an AUREOLUS


RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Milan mint Laetitia


RI Claudius II 268-270 BI Ant Fortuna


RI Maximus Thrax 236-238 AE Sestertius Rome mint priestly emblems


RI Postumus 259-268 CE Antoninianus Cologne Providentia

RAISE: AUREOLUS


RI Postumus struck by Aureolus 268 CE Revolt of Milan Concordia

 

Hello Friends,

here are mine Gothicus and Aureolus

 

Yes, I'm fortunate to be the owner of all of them.

 

Nice history thread Sallent.
I'll refrain from posting any Claudius II since I just did yesterday.
Here's Postumus



And how about
Victorinus

Or maybe this one that just came in the mail yesterday from the recent Ken Dorney Agora auction
Trebonianus

Ok I just wanted to throw the last one in there because it's a newer (to me) but close enough to the same reign time as the others

 

Great coins everyone. I find coins of the 260s and 270s fascinating for their lack of quality control and clear evidence of a mint struggling to pump out as many coins as possible, flan quality, centering, broken dies and worn dies be darned. It's amazing to compare that to the quality control even as late as the 240s and early 250s, which was still quite good.

I think that gives the coins of the 260s and 270s a special charm, and give us physical proof of just how bad the crisis was in the Roman world during these troubled times. Feel free to disagree, but that's what I really think.

 

Nice Sallent!

Here's my favorite of Claudius II, received as my ancient secret santa present last time!


Claudius II Antoninianus, 268-270 AD

O: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, R: IVNO REGINA, Juno with peacock at feet, B in ex. Antioch Mint. RIC V, 212, 20 mm, 4.0g

 

Completely share your sentiments here. I really like coins of this period, too.


GALLIENUS
Billon Antoninianus. 3.24g, 23.6mm. Cologne mint, AD 258-259. RIC 49; Cohen 1065. O: GALLIENVS P F AVG, radite and cuirassed bust of Gallienus left, holding spear over his left shoulder and shield decorated with gorgoneion. R: VICT GERMANICA, Victory standing right on globe, holding trophy over her left shoulder and wreath in her right hand; two captives flanking globe.


CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS
AE Antoninianus. 3.29g, 20.5mm. Antioch mint, circa early – mid AD 270. New RIC Online Temp #1053; RIC 221; Cohen 273. O: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate head right. R: SOL AVG, Sol with whip and upraised arm standing left.


POSTUMUS
Billon Antoninianus. 4.34g, 23.8mm. Trier mint, 1st emission, 3rd phase, AD 260-261. RIC V 64; Mairat 12-7; AGK 25; RSC 9. O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: HERC DEVSONIENSI, Hercules standing right, holding bow and lion's skin in left hand and club in right hand.
Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection

 

Wow ! brilliant peacock on that reverse of unusual good style !

Q

 

I'm never tired of seeing that one zumbly !

Q

 

A topic about Claudius II and no SPQR issue being shown...

 

I always appreciate the write-ups.

I find it helpful to review the history of the third century emperors:







(My guest. Not my pictures.)