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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Amit Vyas, post: 25749809, member: 117268&quot;]My first Solidus. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Valentinian III, born in 419 AD, ascended to the Roman throne in 425 AD at the tender age of six. His reign was marked by political turmoil, military conflicts, and a tragic end that would leave a lasting impact on the Western Roman Empire.</p><p><br /></p><p>Valentinian III&#039;s sister, Honoria, played a pivotal role in the events that unfolded during her brother&#039;s reign. In 450 AD, facing an unwanted marriage, Honoria sent a letter to Attila the Hun, proposing an alliance and seeking his assistance. This gesture was misconstrued by Attila as a proposal for marriage, and he seized upon the opportunity to claim half of the Western Roman Empire as his dowry!</p><p><br /></p><p>In 451 AD, Attila amassed a formidable army and invaded the Western Roman Empire. The invasion was marked by destruction and chaos as Attila&#039;s forces swept through Gaul, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. The Roman military, led by the skilled general Flavius Aetius, mounted a fierce defense, culminating in the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in 451 AD. The Romans, allied with various Germanic tribes, managed to repel Attila&#039;s forces in a significant setback for the Hunnic leader.</p><p><br /></p><p>Despite the victory at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, internal strife persisted within the Roman Empire. Aetius, the military mastermind behind the successful defense against Attila, found himself caught in political intrigue. On September 21, 454 AD, Valentinian III, egged on by Petronius Maximus, a high ranking senator who bore Aetius a personal grudge, and his chamberlain, the eunuch Heraclius, murdered Aetius. According to the accounts of the ancient historian Priscus, the gruesome incident unfolded as Aetius presented a financial report to the Emperor. Abruptly, Valentinian, in a fit of rage, leapt from his throne, accusing Aetius of drunken misconduct and blaming him for the empire&#039;s troubles. Alleging a conspiracy to usurp the throne, Valentinian drew his sword and, alongside Heraclius, assaulted the unarmed Aetius, delivering a fatal blow to his head. Later, when Valentinian proudly remarked on disposing of Aetius in such a manner, a counselor poignantly retorted, &quot;Whether well or not, I do not know. But know that you have cut off your right hand with your left.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>On March 16 of the subsequent year, fate dealt a grim hand as the emperor met his end in Rome at the hands of two Scythian associates of Aetius—Optelas and Thraustelas. As detailed by Priscus, these individuals were incited to commit the act by Petronius Maximus. The assassination unfolded on the Campus Martius as Valentinian dismounted from his horse to practice archery. Seizing the moment, the conspirators struck, with Optelas delivering a decisive blow to the emperor&#039;s head. As Valentinian turned to identify his assailant, Optelas administered the fatal blow. Simultaneously, Thraustelas took the life of Heraclius. In a peculiar turn of events reported by Priscus, a swarm of bees appeared as the emperor lay lifeless, seemingly drawn to his spilled blood.</p><p><br /></p><p>The day following the assassination saw Petronius Maximus seizing the imperial mantle, proclaimed by the remnants of the Western Roman army, facilitated by a substantial donative. However, Maximus&#039;s assumption of power revealed a lack of readiness to navigate and stabilize the beleaguered empire. After a brief 11-week reign, the Roman populace, discontented and incensed, stoned Maximus to death. In the wake of this internal turmoil, King Gaiseric and his Vandals seized Rome, subjecting it to a ruthless two-week sack. The intricate tapestry of events surrounding Valentinian&#039;s demise reflected the fragility and chaos that characterized the final chapters of the Western Roman Empire&#039;s decline.</p><p><br /></p><p>Roman Empire: Valentinian III (425-455 AD), AV Solidus, Ravenna mint, c. 426-430 AD, C 19, RIC 2011, LRC 842, Depeyrot 17/1 (4.43 g, 21 mm)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: D N PLA VALENTI-NIANVS P F AVG. Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG. Emperor standing facing., holding standard and Victory on globe, r. foot on man-headed serpent; in field, R – V and in exergue, COMOB.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1644562[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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