There are few Emperors who were given worse odds than Heraclius Constantinus Augustus was. Heraclius better known as Constans II became Emperor of the Roman state at the grand old age of eleven. The fact that he wasn't a total screw up like most child rulers is impressive in itself, the fact that he was a good Emperor makes him look damned amazing. Constans II is an incredible person to look at and his reign is a transitional period from the (very) late Antiquity to the middle ages. I wish I had the time to discuss his entire reign but I'll save that for later. What I want to talk about is the last ten years of Constans life, and specifically his trip to Rome and war against the lombards. So without further adieu, lets get started! In 660 Emperor Constans II decided to move the Imperial Capital to Syracuse, Sicily, to prevent the arabs from taking control of Roman north Africa and Italy. In 663 he arrived in Tarentum with the intent to wipeout the lombards in southern Italy, his campaign initially went well as the barbarian king was distracted with a war against the franks to the north. Constans then set Beneventum and Lucera under siege but lombard reinforcements forced him to retreat, but not after he destroyed Lucera. Constans then fought a pitched battle at Forino and was defeated, but it wasn't a total defeat. Constans fought a few more battles with the lombards with little success. These defeats made him give up on his idea of reconquering southern Italy and just focus on retaining what territory he already had. Constans then made his way to the Eternal City were he was greeted by the Pope and citizenry. This was the first time in over two hundred years that a Roman Emperor had set foot in Rome. In stark contrast to Constantius II's stay in Rome three hundred years earlier, Constans stay was brief and solemn; there wasn't a triumphal procession or magnificent game to be held. A description of Constans stay was recorded in the Book of Pontiffs and has amazingly survived. The apostolicus [Pope Vitalian] went to meet him [Constans] with his clergy at the 6th mile from Rome and welcomed him. On the same day the emperor travelled to St Peter’s for prayer and there he presented a gift; another day to St Paul’s and there he presented a gift; on Saturday to St Mary’s and again he presented a gift. On Sunday he proceeded to St Peter’s with his army, all with wax tapers, and on its altar he presented a gold-wrought pallium; and mass was celebrated. Again on Saturday the emperor came to the Lateran, and bathed and dined there in the basilica of Vigilius. Again on Sunday there was a statio at St Peter’s, and after mass was celebrated the emperor and pontiff bade farewell to each other. He stayed in Rome twelve days; he dismantled all the city’s bronze decorations; he removed the bronze tiles from the roof of the church of St Mary ad martyres, and sent them to the imperial city with various other things he had dismantled. The great monuments from the Republic and Empire were no more, either repurposed or left to decay while the great Imperial Palaces and estates were overgrown and abandoned; the city of Rome was dead, replaced by small villages located on the seven hills. Rome, a City which had once boasted over a million people, now lay barren with less than 30,000 inhabitants. The City was still protected by the Aurelian wall and even had a small Imperial garrison, but the glory days of the Republic, the prosperity of the Antonies, and the tranquility of the 4th Century were gone gone gone.......... After his stay in Rome, Constans set up his capital at Syracuse and began campaigning against the arabs with mixed success, he would be killed by a disgruntled chamberlain a few years latter. I bought this coin after reading about Constans exploits in the east and his visit to Rome. Constans II Æ Follis (20mm, 2.58g) Constantinople mint, 641-668 A.D. Constans standing facing in plumed helmet and military dress, holding long cross, left hand on hip; regnal year to left, cross over M over officina letter to right / Constantine IV, Heraclius and Tiberius all standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys and holding cross on globe. SB 1011, MIB 175.
Nice example. Constans II (641 - 668 A.D.) Æ Follis O:ENTOTO NIKA Contans, long beard (noted on r side of face), standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding long cross In left hand, globus cruciger in right. R: Large M between ANO and NEOG or similar, star above. In exergue, a officina followed by numerals representing the regnal year, off-flan. 21mm 5.4g Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 641 - 645 A.D.
AE Follis, Nicomedia mint. OBV: Heraclius center, Heraclius Constantine r., Empress Martina l., all standing facing. REV: Large M; to left, monogram; above, ANNO & cross; to right, regnal year XS (16); beneath, officina no. B; in ex., NIKO. Berk 560; Dumbarton Oaks 165v (unlisted officina); Sear 836
Issued considerably later in his reign than age 11, Constans' coins show impressive beards. Both of these show the Sicily mintmark.
Awesome write-up @Magnus Maximus. I have very little Byzantine coins, and no CII's... And thence came The Dark Ages...
Thanks for the clarification. I find Byzantine a rather confusing area, with lots of similar-sounding rulers.
A very underappreciated Emperor (translation: inexpensive) for collectors but he does have some interesting types. Here's a tougher half follis of Carthage:
hes my avatar Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius, 641-668. Hexagram (Silver, 23mm, 6.66 g 7h), Constantinople, 659-668. Draped facing busts of Constans II, wearing plumed helmet, and Constantine IV, wearing crown; above, cross Rev. dEЧ [S ADIЧTA ROmANIS] ( May God help the Romans) Cross potent set on globe above three steps; crowned and draped figures of Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing to either side, each holding globus cruciger. DOC 57. MIB 152. SB 998. I also have a Half follis from when he was younger Æ Half Follis – 20 Nummi Carthage mint. Struck 647/8-651/2. Crowned and draped facing bust / Large XX; cross between; above, pellets flanking; CRTS. DOC 140; MIB 196b; SB 1057.
Nice write up Magnus Maximus, glad to see shared interest in the period. A small hoard I purchased some years ago comprising of mostly Constans II.
Nice coins, folks! I would love to one day be able to get Constans II in silver, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
As always, a terrific write-up and an interesting coin!! I find my budget is almost always depleted before I get to venture into any Byzantine examples...but there's always next year!
