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<p>[QUOTE="Ryro, post: 4731924, member: 91461"]Gaius Pescennius Niger Justus (Justus=The Just, was given to him on his claiming of the purple) was late. To many it appeared that he was THE guy to rule Rome...but he took his time.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158256[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>After Commodus (if Commodus isn't the reason we call the toilet the "commode" then it should be), the delusional scoundrel was to be murdered in his bath by one of his own strong men at the instigation of his inner circle including his own wife, death, things were good in Rome again.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158257[/ATTACH]</p><p> Commodus</p><p>177-192 AD AE As 24-25 mm, 10.34 g, Rome, 192 AD.</p><p>Obv. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, Head to right, wearing lion skin headdress.</p><p>Rev. HERCVL / ROMAN / AVGV / S C, Legend divided by club within laurel wreath.</p><p>RIC III 644; C. 193; BMC 722.</p><p>An interesting type. Fine to very fine. From: Auctiones GmbH</p><p><br /></p><p>Pertinax ascension to the throne was a given. With the old general garnering more respect and auctoritas then anyone in the mightiest empire the world would ever know.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158241[/ATTACH]</p><p>Pertinax</p><p>Denarius. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right / VOT DECEN TR P COS II, emperor sacrificing left, with patera held over tripod altar. RSC 56 RIC 13a, RSC 56, BMC 24</p><p>From: numisland</p><p><br /></p><p>But just as Pescennius was late (don't worry we are getting there), Pertinax was cheap. That cheapness would result in the praetorian guard killing their ruler and selling the throne off to the highest bidder!</p><p>When Pertinax's father in-law was outbid, by possibly the richest man in Rome at that time (a weasel by the name of Didius Julianus), something had to be done!</p><p>The people of Rome called for a hero.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158268[/ATTACH]</p><p>(No. That hero would come along a couple millenia later.)</p><p><br /></p><p>The people of the East already knew who this was, as did the urban population of Rome. Pescennius sent news to Rome that their hero was on the way to save the day! One problem though. His messenger was intercepted by none other than Septimius Severus (insert face palm emoji right here, folks).</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158261[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Sadly, we don't know a ton about Pescennius Niger. We think he was born sometime between 135-140 CE. He was the first in a family of equestrians that stretched waaay back into Roman history to become a Senator. He commanded forces in Gaul to crush rebel uprisings and did so well that he was made a consul. From more success there he was made legate of Syria. He WAS ONE TOUGH HOMBRE, PERIOD (oh, wait, there the button is).</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158262[/ATTACH]</p><p>As mentioned, when Julianus took over Pescennius nor Severus were going to let this rich boy who'd never led himself into a discount market led alone never leading an army into battle, rule over Rome! They were on a collision course...of course<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie67" alt=":nailbiting:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>However, whilst Pescennius was building his support in the east Ole Septy was already on his way to take Rome.</p><p>Hindsight is 20/20, and even if Pescennius had charged straight to Rome like Alexander atop Bucephalus he may have still fallen faster than a 1 legged dancer at a gentleman's club on spray gun night<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie60" alt=":kiss:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie9" alt=":eek:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> As it was, Septimius Severus had more forces and now had Rome.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158240[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Septimius Severus</p><p>(193-211 AD). AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.20 g), Roma, 200 AD.</p><p>Obv. SEVERVS AVG PART MAX, laureate head right.</p><p>Rev. PM TR P VIII COS II PP, Victory advancing left, holding open wreath over shield set on low base.</p><p>RIC 150. Nice portrait. Good very fine. Former: Auctiones GmbH</p><p><br /></p><p>Severus next move was bold. He set out from Rome eastward straight to his enemy.</p><p>Septy was a very experienced general but also had some tact. He offered Pescennius a chance to leave and live. Go into exile and hand over your claim. Pescennius didn't bite.</p><p>Severus put Byzantium, where Pescennius was holding up, under siege. The siege would lead to Pescennius retreating further and further back until in 194 CE, at the Battle of Issus, Pescennius would lose and after a quick retreat further east would lose his life.</p><p>And so ends the tale of one of my favorite woulda beans during the year of the five emperors.</p><p><br /></p><p>During this time there was also a man named Clodius Albinus...</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158248[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>So proud to say I have a coin of this rare emperor. I'd been searching for a few years, as I do love his story, and now I've one to share:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1158237[/ATTACH]</p><p>PESCENNIUS NIGER (A.D. 193-194)</p><p>Denarius, Ag, A.D. 193-194, Antioch mint</p><p>Antioch mint, 2,57 gr, 18 mm</p><p>Av: [IMP] CAES C PESC - NIGER IVSTI A[V], laureate head of Niger right.</p><p>Rv: INVICTO IMPERAT, trophy and arms.</p><p>3.25g</p><p>RIC 34b; C -</p><p>Fine</p><p>Ex: Savoca</p><p><br /></p><p>Please share your coins of PESCENNIUS (and yes, I may just be talking to [USER=19463]@dougsmit[/USER] unless some of my CT buddies has a surprise up their sleeves), anybody mentioned above, your favorite wouldabeens or anything you feel.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Ryro, post: 4731924, member: 91461"]Gaius Pescennius Niger Justus (Justus=The Just, was given to him on his claiming of the purple) was late. To many it appeared that he was THE guy to rule Rome...but he took his time. [ATTACH=full]1158256[/ATTACH] After Commodus (if Commodus isn't the reason we call the toilet the "commode" then it should be), the delusional scoundrel was to be murdered in his bath by one of his own strong men at the instigation of his inner circle including his own wife, death, things were good in Rome again. [ATTACH=full]1158257[/ATTACH] Commodus 177-192 AD AE As 24-25 mm, 10.34 g, Rome, 192 AD. Obv. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, Head to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. HERCVL / ROMAN / AVGV / S C, Legend divided by club within laurel wreath. RIC III 644; C. 193; BMC 722. An interesting type. Fine to very fine. From: Auctiones GmbH Pertinax ascension to the throne was a given. With the old general garnering more respect and auctoritas then anyone in the mightiest empire the world would ever know. [ATTACH=full]1158241[/ATTACH] Pertinax Denarius. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right / VOT DECEN TR P COS II, emperor sacrificing left, with patera held over tripod altar. RSC 56 RIC 13a, RSC 56, BMC 24 From: numisland But just as Pescennius was late (don't worry we are getting there), Pertinax was cheap. That cheapness would result in the praetorian guard killing their ruler and selling the throne off to the highest bidder! When Pertinax's father in-law was outbid, by possibly the richest man in Rome at that time (a weasel by the name of Didius Julianus), something had to be done! The people of Rome called for a hero. [ATTACH=full]1158268[/ATTACH] (No. That hero would come along a couple millenia later.) The people of the East already knew who this was, as did the urban population of Rome. Pescennius sent news to Rome that their hero was on the way to save the day! One problem though. His messenger was intercepted by none other than Septimius Severus (insert face palm emoji right here, folks). [ATTACH=full]1158261[/ATTACH] Sadly, we don't know a ton about Pescennius Niger. We think he was born sometime between 135-140 CE. He was the first in a family of equestrians that stretched waaay back into Roman history to become a Senator. He commanded forces in Gaul to crush rebel uprisings and did so well that he was made a consul. From more success there he was made legate of Syria. He WAS ONE TOUGH HOMBRE, PERIOD (oh, wait, there the button is). [ATTACH=full]1158262[/ATTACH] As mentioned, when Julianus took over Pescennius nor Severus were going to let this rich boy who'd never led himself into a discount market led alone never leading an army into battle, rule over Rome! They were on a collision course...of course:nailbiting: However, whilst Pescennius was building his support in the east Ole Septy was already on his way to take Rome. Hindsight is 20/20, and even if Pescennius had charged straight to Rome like Alexander atop Bucephalus he may have still fallen faster than a 1 legged dancer at a gentleman's club on spray gun night:kiss::eek: As it was, Septimius Severus had more forces and now had Rome. [ATTACH=full]1158240[/ATTACH] Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.20 g), Roma, 200 AD. Obv. SEVERVS AVG PART MAX, laureate head right. Rev. PM TR P VIII COS II PP, Victory advancing left, holding open wreath over shield set on low base. RIC 150. Nice portrait. Good very fine. Former: Auctiones GmbH Severus next move was bold. He set out from Rome eastward straight to his enemy. Septy was a very experienced general but also had some tact. He offered Pescennius a chance to leave and live. Go into exile and hand over your claim. Pescennius didn't bite. Severus put Byzantium, where Pescennius was holding up, under siege. The siege would lead to Pescennius retreating further and further back until in 194 CE, at the Battle of Issus, Pescennius would lose and after a quick retreat further east would lose his life. And so ends the tale of one of my favorite woulda beans during the year of the five emperors. During this time there was also a man named Clodius Albinus... [ATTACH=full]1158248[/ATTACH] So proud to say I have a coin of this rare emperor. I'd been searching for a few years, as I do love his story, and now I've one to share: [ATTACH=full]1158237[/ATTACH] PESCENNIUS NIGER (A.D. 193-194) Denarius, Ag, A.D. 193-194, Antioch mint Antioch mint, 2,57 gr, 18 mm Av: [IMP] CAES C PESC - NIGER IVSTI A[V], laureate head of Niger right. Rv: INVICTO IMPERAT, trophy and arms. 3.25g RIC 34b; C - Fine Ex: Savoca Please share your coins of PESCENNIUS (and yes, I may just be talking to [USER=19463]@dougsmit[/USER] unless some of my CT buddies has a surprise up their sleeves), anybody mentioned above, your favorite wouldabeens or anything you feel.[/QUOTE]
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