Silver Antoninianus of Valerian, Viminacium - Moesia Superior
Title
Silver Antoninianus of Valerian, Viminacium - Moesia Superior
Subject
Coinage--Rome
Description
Obv. bust of Valerian radiate and draped r.; around IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG
Rev. standing l.; around LAETITIA AVGG
Weight: 3.8g
Diameter: 20.5mm
Valerian was emperor of Rome from 253 to 260 CE, during which he engaged in many military endeavors. He renewed Trajan Decius’ edict against Christianity (see LLC-COIN-007). When Valerian came to power, there were already problems brewing in the empire, including rampant inflation, civil wars, the Plague of Cyprian, conflict with Germanic tribes, and conflict with the Sassanid Empire. While fighting the Sassanids, he left his son Gallienus in charge of the western empire. The turning point of his military career came at the battle of Edessa against Sassanid ruler Shāpūr I. The Roman soldiers were weakened by plague and lack of supplies, and thus not ready to meet the Sassanid cavalry. Valerian was eventually captured by Shāpūr I in 260. Gallienus chose to leave his father behind and consolidate power at home rather than continuing to fight the Sassanids, so Valerian died in captivity. After this point, provincial governors lost trust in the central government and began to break away from Rome.
Rev. standing l.; around LAETITIA AVGG
Weight: 3.8g
Diameter: 20.5mm
Valerian was emperor of Rome from 253 to 260 CE, during which he engaged in many military endeavors. He renewed Trajan Decius’ edict against Christianity (see LLC-COIN-007). When Valerian came to power, there were already problems brewing in the empire, including rampant inflation, civil wars, the Plague of Cyprian, conflict with Germanic tribes, and conflict with the Sassanid Empire. While fighting the Sassanids, he left his son Gallienus in charge of the western empire. The turning point of his military career came at the battle of Edessa against Sassanid ruler Shāpūr I. The Roman soldiers were weakened by plague and lack of supplies, and thus not ready to meet the Sassanid cavalry. Valerian was eventually captured by Shāpūr I in 260. Gallienus chose to leave his father behind and consolidate power at home rather than continuing to fight the Sassanids, so Valerian died in captivity. After this point, provincial governors lost trust in the central government and began to break away from Rome.
Date
256 CE
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