Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;GregH, post: 7935580, member: 75936&quot;]Vabalathus was too young to be an emperor other than in name, and the real power behind the Roman Palmyrene throne was Zenobia who was essentially acting as regent. He’s as much an emperor as Edward VI was a king. </p><p><br /></p><p>I see the Palmyrene Empire as having similar legitimacy to the Gallic Empire - both empires were functioning independent states in their own right for a while. In fact the “founder” of the breakaway empire, Odaenathus, had styled himself as king. So I see Vabalathus and Zenobia as “true” Roman rulers who belong in a Roman portrait series coin collection. (Not sure if Odaenathus issued any coins? What about Septimius Antiochus, who briefly led the Palmyrene breakaway state after Zenobia? Does anyone know?)</p><p><br /></p><p>There are rulers whom everyone would agree are legitimate Roman emperors. And then there are grey areas including: - Regalianus (did he rule over any land at all &amp; have any “imperial” authority beyond a bunch of soldiers along the Danube?); </p><p>- Gordians I &amp; II like you mentioned, who received official senatorial recognition but never lived long enough to exercise any authority in Rome</p><p>- Rulers of the breakaway British, Gallic &amp; Palmyrene empires who had clear authority over land and citizens and maintained a stable state at least for several years </p><p>- Pseudo-emperors who never assumed the imperial title but exercised authority and minted coins nonetheless eg Clodius Macer</p><p>- Puppet emperors who served as figureheads for Germanic masters of the soldiers (everyone who ruled the west after Valentinian III)</p><p>- What about Syagrius who ruled a Roman rump state in Gaul long after the western empire “fell”?</p><p><br /></p><p>Personally, I want to collect them all!</p><p><br /></p><p>(Love your tooled Zenobia btw! I may need one myself to fill that expensive hole)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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