RIC VII Thessalonica 184
Title
RIC VII Thessalonica 184
Date
330-336 CE
Description
An AE3 of the emperor Constantine
Subject
Constantine, Coins, Gloria Exercitus, Thessalonica
Publisher
Bethel University
Contributor
Nelson Menjivar
Coverage
POINT(2554782.31335 4958407.87595731)
Relation
Render Unto Caesar Coin Project
Type
Coin
Format
image/jpeg
Language
Latin
Mint
Thessalonica (Thessaloniki)
Denomination
AE3
Portrait
Constantine
Region
Greece
Material
Bronze
Obverse Legend
CONSTANTI NVSMAX AVG
Obverse Type
Bronze, laurel, right facing
Reverse Legend
GLORI AEXER CITVS
Reverse Type
Two soldiers standing with two legion standards between them.
Obverse Analysis
Also known as “Constantine the Great,” Constantine was son to emperor in the west, Constantius I. When his father died, despite being born of a concubine, Constantine was considered the only child fit to sustain “imperial dignity.” Already a well known soldier, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers. Following Roman tradition, Constantine wed his sister to Maxentius, co-emperor in Rome, to secure an alliance. This alliance, however, would not last as Constantine’s authority was challenged by Maxentius and civil war ensued.
With the declaration of war against him, Constantine moved to secure the alliance of a notable politician and general Licinius. Following a series of victories, Constantine marched towards Rome and was meet by Maxentius on the Tiber river. The Battle of the Milvian Bridge, as it would be called, resulted in the defeat, and death by drowning, of Maxentius. Constantine had wrestled sole power of the empire. Interestingly enough, Constantine accredited his victory to the Christian God, not the Roman gods. This prompted Constantine to not only adopt the Christian God, but to favor Christians and embark on reforms.
Having won the battle in 312 CE, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE to legalize Christianity thus granting it religious freedom. Additionally, Constantine openly supported Christianity and gave money to churches, gave tax privileges to churches, and even showed favor towards Christians when appointing government offices. In order to help establish a united church, Constantine declared that his religious rights of pontifex maximus carried over to Christianity. Using this justification for power, Constantine ordered for a council to meet to discuss religious disputes that were occuring in Christianity. The Council of Nicea in 325 CE, as it would be called, saw the emphasizing of basic Christian beliefs, and the emperor exiling those Christians that disagreed. Furthermore, Constantine saw the building of a new capital in the east named after him, Constantinople. Not only was the new capital located in a strategic location along the Mediterranean, but also saw the shifting of power away from Rome. Constantinople would also go on to become the capital of the eventual Byzantine Empire.
Now drawing near the end of his life, Constantine was baptized. Prior to his death Constantine had embarked on religious, monetary, and administrative reforms to ensure the stability of the empire during his reign. Additionally, Constantine oversaw the execution of his former ally Licinius after the latter attempted to revolt. It was after the death of Licinius that Constantine had gained complete control of the empire and moved his capital east. Unlike his successors, Constantine would die at the hands of illness with no real threat to his rule. Having stamped out his political rivals, Constantine divided the empire between his three sons and passed away in the year 337 CE
With the declaration of war against him, Constantine moved to secure the alliance of a notable politician and general Licinius. Following a series of victories, Constantine marched towards Rome and was meet by Maxentius on the Tiber river. The Battle of the Milvian Bridge, as it would be called, resulted in the defeat, and death by drowning, of Maxentius. Constantine had wrestled sole power of the empire. Interestingly enough, Constantine accredited his victory to the Christian God, not the Roman gods. This prompted Constantine to not only adopt the Christian God, but to favor Christians and embark on reforms.
Having won the battle in 312 CE, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE to legalize Christianity thus granting it religious freedom. Additionally, Constantine openly supported Christianity and gave money to churches, gave tax privileges to churches, and even showed favor towards Christians when appointing government offices. In order to help establish a united church, Constantine declared that his religious rights of pontifex maximus carried over to Christianity. Using this justification for power, Constantine ordered for a council to meet to discuss religious disputes that were occuring in Christianity. The Council of Nicea in 325 CE, as it would be called, saw the emphasizing of basic Christian beliefs, and the emperor exiling those Christians that disagreed. Furthermore, Constantine saw the building of a new capital in the east named after him, Constantinople. Not only was the new capital located in a strategic location along the Mediterranean, but also saw the shifting of power away from Rome. Constantinople would also go on to become the capital of the eventual Byzantine Empire.
Now drawing near the end of his life, Constantine was baptized. Prior to his death Constantine had embarked on religious, monetary, and administrative reforms to ensure the stability of the empire during his reign. Additionally, Constantine oversaw the execution of his former ally Licinius after the latter attempted to revolt. It was after the death of Licinius that Constantine had gained complete control of the empire and moved his capital east. Unlike his successors, Constantine would die at the hands of illness with no real threat to his rule. Having stamped out his political rivals, Constantine divided the empire between his three sons and passed away in the year 337 CE
Reverse Analysis
The bust is of Constantine the Great with the words CONSTANTI NVSMAX AVG written across the top of the bronze coin. Ruling from 306 - 307 CE, Constantine is famously known as the first Christian emperor, moving the capital to the East, and reestablishing stability after a turbulent number of emperors. Constantine also appears to be wearing a laurel to highlight his divinity, an important aspect for him as he was elected emperor by his soldiers that saw him as the only heir with “dignity.”
The back of the coin features two soldiers that stand facing each other, holding spears. Between them are two legion standards. The words Glori Aexer Citvs are written across the top of the coin as well. All of this is meant to convey the glory of the army. This makes sense for a coin of Constantine as the army was not only responsible for electing him emperor, but also for defeating his rival Maxentius in battle.
The back of the coin features two soldiers that stand facing each other, holding spears. Between them are two legion standards. The words Glori Aexer Citvs are written across the top of the coin as well. All of this is meant to convey the glory of the army. This makes sense for a coin of Constantine as the army was not only responsible for electing him emperor, but also for defeating his rival Maxentius in battle.
Mintmark
TES
Weight
1.9
