RIC VIII Siscia 310
Title
RIC VIII Siscia 310
Date
AD 350 - AD 351
Description
A large AE2 of Constantius II
Publisher
Bethel University
Contributor
Angelica Phillips
Coverage
POINT(1822454.57548542 5697909.84686708)
Relation
Render Under Caesar Roman Coin Project
Type
Coin
Format
Image/jpeg
Mint
Siscia (Sisak)
Denomination
AE2
Portrait
Constantius II
Region
Pannonia
Material
Bronze
Obverse Legend
D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG
Obverse Type
Bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right; A behind bust
Reverse Legend
CONCORDIA - MILITVM
Reverse Type
Constantius II, diademed, draped, cuirassed, standing front, head left, holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner in each hand; above him, a star; III in left field
Obverse Analysis
Constantius II is the second son of Constantine I and took over as emperor after his father died. He began his rule as co-emperors with his other two brothers, Constantine II and Constans I (Editors of…, 2008). Constantius II controlled the Eastern provinces of “Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, Asia, and Egypt for himself” (Editors of…, 2008). Constantine I’s oldest son was named Caesar ten years into Constantine I’s reign, Constantius II was named Caesar twenty years into his reign and Constans I was named Caesar thirty years into his reign (Eusebius, n.d.). All of Constantine’s sons were a pious trinity, and after he gave them a part of his imperial authority with every preceding decade, he deemed it would be a good idea to celebrate his thirty years in power with a celebration to the “Sovereign Lord of all” (Eusebius, n.d.). After this celebration of Constantine, Constantius II was married and it was also a joyous event (Eusebius, n.d.).
Once Constantine I passed away, he was buried by Constantius II at Constantinople (Eusebius, n.d.). Through Constantius II’s behavior during the ceremony, everyone could tell that he loved and honored his father (Eusebius, n.d.). When Constantius II and his brothers first took rule, Constantius II was in bloody warfare with the Persian King Shapur II from 338 to 350 CE (Editors of…, 2008). There were many times King Shapur II visited Rome and there were battles that Persia won and other battles that Rome won, however, this was not completed until after the death of Constantius II (Thayer, 2008).
While Constantius was away fighting King Shapur in Persia, there were two people that took over some of Rome’s land illegally in 350 CE (Editors of…, 2008). One was Vetranio and he took over Illyricum and the other was a barbarian called Magnentius who killed Constantius II’s brother Constans I to take over the West (Editors of…, 2008). In 351 CE, Constantius II was able to get Vetranio to step down and also destroyed Magnentius (Editors of…, 2008). While Constantius was struggling with these two usurpers, he appointed his cousin, Gallus, as Caesar of the East. But over time, Constantius II realized this was a bad decision because Gallus proved to be a totalitarian leader, so Constantius II took away his Caesar title and executed him (Editors of…, 2008). Constantius II went back to the East after taking care of the Sarmatian’s, Suebi, and Quadi tribes in 358 CE because Kind Shapur had begun to fight in the East again (Editors of…, 2008). Then in 361 CE Constantius II was on his way back to the West because his Caesar in Gaul, Julian, was revolting (Editors of…, 2008). But on his way, Constantius II became sick and died at the age of 44 (Editors of…, 2008).
Overall, Constantius II was a wonderful ruler that tried to maintain unity among the empire under Arian Christianity (Editors of…, 2008). He was a strong ruler and continued his father’s legacy by outlawing paganism (Editors of…, 2008). During Constantius II’s reign, the Roman Empire was not in a period of either prosperity or crisis. There were a couple of times where usurpers took parts of Rome, but Constantius II easily crushed them. There were also other battles of power, but until the revolt of Julian, Constantius II seemed to be in control. I think the people of Rome would have considered him a good ruler that tried to keep his people safe.
Once Constantine I passed away, he was buried by Constantius II at Constantinople (Eusebius, n.d.). Through Constantius II’s behavior during the ceremony, everyone could tell that he loved and honored his father (Eusebius, n.d.). When Constantius II and his brothers first took rule, Constantius II was in bloody warfare with the Persian King Shapur II from 338 to 350 CE (Editors of…, 2008). There were many times King Shapur II visited Rome and there were battles that Persia won and other battles that Rome won, however, this was not completed until after the death of Constantius II (Thayer, 2008).
While Constantius was away fighting King Shapur in Persia, there were two people that took over some of Rome’s land illegally in 350 CE (Editors of…, 2008). One was Vetranio and he took over Illyricum and the other was a barbarian called Magnentius who killed Constantius II’s brother Constans I to take over the West (Editors of…, 2008). In 351 CE, Constantius II was able to get Vetranio to step down and also destroyed Magnentius (Editors of…, 2008). While Constantius was struggling with these two usurpers, he appointed his cousin, Gallus, as Caesar of the East. But over time, Constantius II realized this was a bad decision because Gallus proved to be a totalitarian leader, so Constantius II took away his Caesar title and executed him (Editors of…, 2008). Constantius II went back to the East after taking care of the Sarmatian’s, Suebi, and Quadi tribes in 358 CE because Kind Shapur had begun to fight in the East again (Editors of…, 2008). Then in 361 CE Constantius II was on his way back to the West because his Caesar in Gaul, Julian, was revolting (Editors of…, 2008). But on his way, Constantius II became sick and died at the age of 44 (Editors of…, 2008).
Overall, Constantius II was a wonderful ruler that tried to maintain unity among the empire under Arian Christianity (Editors of…, 2008). He was a strong ruler and continued his father’s legacy by outlawing paganism (Editors of…, 2008). During Constantius II’s reign, the Roman Empire was not in a period of either prosperity or crisis. There were a couple of times where usurpers took parts of Rome, but Constantius II easily crushed them. There were also other battles of power, but until the revolt of Julian, Constantius II seemed to be in control. I think the people of Rome would have considered him a good ruler that tried to keep his people safe.
Reverse Analysis
The obverse of this coin is a portrait of Constantius II, the second son of Constantine I. He is seen draped and cuirassed, which means he was well-known for his military service. He is also seen in wearing a pearl-diadem, which was never worn before the time of Constantine. This was done to show his sovereignty and other emperors after Constantius II’s rule began to wear it too. This goes along with the words that are seen on the obverse of this coin which translate to “Our Lord, Constantius II, the pious and happy emperor.” Regardless of if the people of Rome felt this way about him, this is how Constantius II wanted to be remembered because he had the coin minted under his rule.
On the reverse of this coin, you see Constantius standing, draped and cuirassed, holding two scepters, one in each hand, that have a banner with the Christogram on it. The Christogram was a Christian monogram that was first used by Constantine I, Constantius II’s father. The words on this side of the coin translate to “agreement of the military” and this shows that he wanted to be remembered for his military service. From his attire, it can be gathered that Constantius II is off to battle, as he fought many battles during his rule, but he is fighting these battles for God because of his use of the Christogram. Constantius II is trying to show that he was continuing the legacy of his father. So not only is he showing the citizens of Rome that he is sovereign, he is also saying that he is a good military leader and is striving to maintain the rule of his father.
On the reverse of this coin, you see Constantius standing, draped and cuirassed, holding two scepters, one in each hand, that have a banner with the Christogram on it. The Christogram was a Christian monogram that was first used by Constantine I, Constantius II’s father. The words on this side of the coin translate to “agreement of the military” and this shows that he wanted to be remembered for his military service. From his attire, it can be gathered that Constantius II is off to battle, as he fought many battles during his rule, but he is fighting these battles for God because of his use of the Christogram. Constantius II is trying to show that he was continuing the legacy of his father. So not only is he showing the citizens of Rome that he is sovereign, he is also saying that he is a good military leader and is striving to maintain the rule of his father.
Mintmark
SIS - III
Diameter
2.0
Weight
4.12
