Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
My first siliqua- Arcadius
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 2823446, member: 81887"]I recently won my first siliqua from John Anthony's auction:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]663548[/ATTACH] </p><p>Roman Empire, Treveri mint. AR siliqua (18mm, 1.6g). Arcadius (383-408). Obverse: Laureate and draped bust right, DN ARCADIVS PF AVG around. Reverse: Roma seated left, holding globe with Victory; VIRTVS ROMANORVM around, TRPS in exergue. RIC 106b. From John Anthony auction, ex H8Modern collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>When we read about the past, we sometimes encounter truly remarkable individuals like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, or Napoleon, who can inspire everyone around them and seemingly bend the course of history by the sheer force of their will. Well, Arcadius was the opposite of that, a sluggish mediocrity who was manipulated by others throughout his life and was little more than a figurehead for those who had the real power. His father, Theodosius I (aka Theodosius the Great) had been a strong leader who managed to hold together both the Eastern and Western halves of the empire, but unfortunately his two sons Arcadius and Honorius did not inherit their father's talent. Arcadius was elevated to the rank of Augustus in 383, at just 6 years old. When Theodosius died in 395, Arcadius was given rule over the East while Honorius took over the West. Early on Arcadius was dominated by a counselor named Rufinus, but Rufinus was murdered in 395, possibly on orders from Stilicho, who already controlled Honorius and may have wanted control over both halves of the empire. However, a eunuch named Eutropius gained the upper hand, with the help of a beautiful young woman named Eudoxia who soon became Arcadius's wife. The empress and the eunuch did not get along for long, and in 399 Eudoxia convinced her husband to dismiss Eutropius. Eudoxia also clashed with the powerful Bishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom, and in 404 she was able to have Chrysostom deposed, but died the same year. Finally, the Praetorian Prefect Anthemius took over the role of puppet-master until Arcadius's death in 408, aged 31. </p><p><br /></p><p>Despite the weak emperor who issued it, this is quite a nice little coin. I like the portrait style, and the overall quality of design is good considering the weak state of the empire. This was my first late Roman silver coin, and now I may become hooked if I find another quality piece soon.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 2823446, member: 81887"]I recently won my first siliqua from John Anthony's auction: [ATTACH=full]663548[/ATTACH] Roman Empire, Treveri mint. AR siliqua (18mm, 1.6g). Arcadius (383-408). Obverse: Laureate and draped bust right, DN ARCADIVS PF AVG around. Reverse: Roma seated left, holding globe with Victory; VIRTVS ROMANORVM around, TRPS in exergue. RIC 106b. From John Anthony auction, ex H8Modern collection. When we read about the past, we sometimes encounter truly remarkable individuals like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, or Napoleon, who can inspire everyone around them and seemingly bend the course of history by the sheer force of their will. Well, Arcadius was the opposite of that, a sluggish mediocrity who was manipulated by others throughout his life and was little more than a figurehead for those who had the real power. His father, Theodosius I (aka Theodosius the Great) had been a strong leader who managed to hold together both the Eastern and Western halves of the empire, but unfortunately his two sons Arcadius and Honorius did not inherit their father's talent. Arcadius was elevated to the rank of Augustus in 383, at just 6 years old. When Theodosius died in 395, Arcadius was given rule over the East while Honorius took over the West. Early on Arcadius was dominated by a counselor named Rufinus, but Rufinus was murdered in 395, possibly on orders from Stilicho, who already controlled Honorius and may have wanted control over both halves of the empire. However, a eunuch named Eutropius gained the upper hand, with the help of a beautiful young woman named Eudoxia who soon became Arcadius's wife. The empress and the eunuch did not get along for long, and in 399 Eudoxia convinced her husband to dismiss Eutropius. Eudoxia also clashed with the powerful Bishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom, and in 404 she was able to have Chrysostom deposed, but died the same year. Finally, the Praetorian Prefect Anthemius took over the role of puppet-master until Arcadius's death in 408, aged 31. Despite the weak emperor who issued it, this is quite a nice little coin. I like the portrait style, and the overall quality of design is good considering the weak state of the empire. This was my first late Roman silver coin, and now I may become hooked if I find another quality piece soon.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
My first siliqua- Arcadius
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...