Silver Tetradrachm of Trajan Decius, Antioch - Syria
Title
Silver Tetradrachm of Trajan Decius, Antioch - Syria
Subject
Obv. bust of Trajan Decius laureate and draped r., around [...] ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟC ΔΕΚΙΟC CEB (=TRAIANOS DEKOIS SEB); vague border of dots
Rev. eagle with wings spread standing l. holding palm branch in feet, wreath in beak; around ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC (=DEMARCH EXOUSIAS); below SC; border of dots
Weight: 10.4g
Diameter: 25.0mm
Trajan Decius, known simply as Decius, became emperor in 249 CE. In 250 CE, he began the first formal persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. His edict ordered everyone to sacrifice to the Roman gods and emperor under supervision of a magistrate, and to obtain a certificate (libellus) that it was done. Many of these libelli survive in Egypt. Christians were forbidden from sacrificing by their religion, but many did it anyway for fear of being put to death. Many Christians went into hiding in places like Egypt, Anatolia, and Africa to avoid Decius’ edict. Followers of the Jewish faith were exempt from this edict, however, as Judaism was designated as religio licita – allowed religion – since the time of Julius Caesar and Augustus. As compared to Judaism, Christianity was new and challenging to the Roman Empire. Enforcement of Decius’ edict had relaxed considerably by 251 CE, just a year later.
Rev. eagle with wings spread standing l. holding palm branch in feet, wreath in beak; around ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC (=DEMARCH EXOUSIAS); below SC; border of dots
Weight: 10.4g
Diameter: 25.0mm
Trajan Decius, known simply as Decius, became emperor in 249 CE. In 250 CE, he began the first formal persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. His edict ordered everyone to sacrifice to the Roman gods and emperor under supervision of a magistrate, and to obtain a certificate (libellus) that it was done. Many of these libelli survive in Egypt. Christians were forbidden from sacrificing by their religion, but many did it anyway for fear of being put to death. Many Christians went into hiding in places like Egypt, Anatolia, and Africa to avoid Decius’ edict. Followers of the Jewish faith were exempt from this edict, however, as Judaism was designated as religio licita – allowed religion – since the time of Julius Caesar and Augustus. As compared to Judaism, Christianity was new and challenging to the Roman Empire. Enforcement of Decius’ edict had relaxed considerably by 251 CE, just a year later.
Date
249-251 CE
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