Description: This ancient Roman coin depicts the image of Constantius II and was minted between 330-336AD. The coin is over 1700 years old and showcases the era of Ancient Rome. The coin also features the words "Gloria Exercitas" with 2 Roman soldiers holding a staff and spears. Gloria Exercitas translates to "Glory to the Army." This phrase was commonly used during the Roman Empire to express honor and respect for the military. Constantius II was a son of Constantine the Great, who elevated him to the imperial rank of Caesar on 8 November 324 and after whose death Constantius became Augustus together with his brothers, Constantine II and Constans on 9 September 337. He promptly oversaw the massacre of his father-in-law, an uncle, and several cousins, consolidating his hold on power. The brothers divided the empire among themselves, with Constantius receiving Greece, Thrace, the Asian provinces, and Egypt in the east. For the following decade a costly and inconclusive war against Persia took most of Constantius's time and attention. In the meantime, his brothers Constantine and Constans warred over the western provinces of the empire, leaving the former dead in 340 and the latter as sole ruler of the west. The two remaining brothers maintained an uneasy peace with each other until, in 350, Constans was overthrown and assassinated by the usurper Magnentius. Unwilling to accept Magnentius as co-ruler, Constantius waged a civil war against the usurper, defeating him at the battles of Mursa Major in 351 and Mons Seleucus in 353. Magnentius committed suicide after the latter battle, leaving Constantius as sole ruler of the empire. In 351, Constantius elevated his cousin Constantius Gallus to the subordinate rank of Caesar to rule in the east, but had him executed three years later after receiving scathing reports of his violent and corrupt nature. Shortly thereafter, in 355, Constantius promoted his last surviving cousin, Gallus' younger half-brother Julian, to the rank of Caesar. As emperor, Constantius promoted Arianism, banned pagan sacrifices, and issued laws against Jews. His military campaigns against Germanic tribes were successful: he defeated the Alamanni in 354 and campaigned across the Danube against the Quadi and Sarmatians in 357. The war against the Sasanians, which had been in a lull since 350, erupted with renewed intensity in 359 and Constantius travelled to the east in 360 to restore stability after the loss of several border fortresses. However, Julian claimed the rank of Augustus in 360, leading to war between the two after Constantius' attempts to persuade Julian to back down failed. No battle was fought, as Constantius became ill and died of fever on 3 November 361 in Mopsuestia, allegedly naming Julian as his rightful successor before his death. This piece is a small, unique and fascinating artifact that offers a glimpse into the past and is sure to be a prized possession for any history enthusiast. 2242
Price: 28.27 USD
Location: Capitola, California
End Time: 2024-12-01T15:12:13.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3.95 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Denomination: Nummus
Historical Period: Roman: Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
Composition: Bronze
Year: 330-336 AD
Era: Ancient
Fineness: 0.8
KM Number: Unk
Ruler: Constantine II
Country/Region of Manufacture: Rome
Date: 300s
Certification: Uncertified