So I acquired something that Attila the Hun (probably) never got, a solidus of Eastern Roman emperor Marcian. The thread title refers to what he allegedly said, in reference to his ending his predecessor Theodosius II's policy of appeasement towards Attila and his Huns. This had included annual gold payments to keep them away from the Eastern Empire (and offering iron AKA war instead). Marcian, Eastern Roman Empire AV solidus Obv: D N MARCIA-NVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross, star in right field Mint: Constantinople Mintmark: CONOB Date: 450-457 AD Ref: RIC 510 Size: 4.46 gr., 21 mm wide Provenance: Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 55, 23 April 2019, lot 1203 (the same auction I won my Athens tetradrachm from!) (seller's photos) Flavius Marcianus started out his career in the Roman army, first enlisting in Philippopolis. He had been slated to fight against the Persians in 421 AD, but became ill and missed the conflict. Later, Marcian became the domesticus to the influential eastern magister militum Aspar, with whom he fought under in a campaign against the Vandals in North Africa. However, Marcian wound up a prisoner-of-war of the Vandals, giving rise to a likely false story where he had met the Vandal king, who foresaw that Marcian would become emperor. His loyalty to Aspar would reward him with the throne in 450 AD, after Theodosius II's death had triggered a succession crisis in which Aspar had manipulated to have Marcian rise to the purple. During this time, he also married Pulcheria, the sister of Theodosius. At the time Marcian came to the throne, Attila and the Huns had been planning to invade the Western Roman Empire. Attila had received news that Marcian had repudiated the treaties made and tribute agreed to by Theodosius, but decided to continue with his invasion of the west in 451 instead of immediately exacting revenge against the east. In that same year, Attila was kicked out of Gaul by Flavius Aetius and a coalition of barbarian allies. In 453, Marcian and Aspar received threats of invasion by Attila, which they quickly shrugged off. Instead of bribing him away, they had concluded the gold would be better spent on strengthening the army, and that the Eastern Empire would still be able to beat back Attila even if the European provinces were lost. Attila's planned campaign against the Eastern Romans was cut short by his sudden death, which helped lead to the swift collapse of the Hunnic Empire. After the Hunnic threat had subsided, Marcian helped settle two former Hun vassals, the Ostrogoths and Gepids, as foederati in Pannonia. Apart from two minor revolts by monks, the rest of his rule was relatively peaceful. Marcian was also a very effective administrator, implementing reforms designed to tackle corruption, excess spending, and streamline the workings of government. These resulted in a state surplus of 100,000 pounds of gold at the time of his death in 457. Under Marcian, the Ecumenical Council of the Church at Chalcedon was convened in 451. This Council declared that Jesus had two natures: one divine and one human, and that these two were perfect and united in one man. This proved divisive, contributing to the increasing separation between the eastern and western halves of Christianity. There was also increasing separation between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires during Marcian's reign. Border disputes stemming from his relocation of the foederati occurred, and the Eastern emperor refused to intervene (possibly by Aspar's influence) when Rome was sacked by the Vandals in 455 AD. Marcian only responded by demanding that the Vandals return Licinia Eudoxia, the widow of the Western emperors Valentinian III and Petronius Maximus (whom Marcian did not recognize); and her daughters Eudocia and Placidia. It was only the failure of diplomacy to achieve the release of Roman hostages from the sack, and Eudocia's forced marriage to the Vandal prince Huneric that spurred Marcian to make plans to invade Vandal-held North Africa. His death put an end to this threat for the Vandals. Feel free to post your coins of Marcian! (Authenticated footage of Emperor Marcian standing up to Attila, 450 AD)
Impressive coin and post, VK! Marcian is also incredibly lucky that Atilla died before he could invade the ERE.
Just reading about Marcian and Attila in Gibbon at the moment, a fascinating moment in history. Great coin and write up.
That's true! (I was there in a previous life. ) This actually happened in the Philippines & was known locally as "The Thrilla' with Attila in Manila"! Howard Cosell was there also...
Great write up... super AV, @ValiantKnight ! Cograts capturing that Solidus. LOL, the gif cracked me up. Here is my AV Marcian... ( wait... did I misspell that metal? ) Marcian 450-457 CE AE4 11mm monogram
Marcian. 450-457 AD. Æ (10mm, 1.29 gm; 11h). Nicomedia mint. Obv: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Monogram; star above(?), S below; all within wreath and NICO breaking wreath.. RIC X 557. VF, green patina. RIC monogram 3. Rare variety.
