Bronze AE2 of Constantius I, Antioch - Syria
Title
Bronze AE2 of Constantius I, Antioch - Syria
Subject
Coinage--Rome
Description
Obv. bust of Helena with diadem and mantle r.; around FL HELENA AVGVS[TA]; border of line
Rev. Securitas standing l. holding branch in r. hand and dress in l. hand; around SE[CVRIT]AS [R]EIPVBLICE; below SMANTS; border of line
Weight: 3.2g
Diameter: 19.8mm
Helena, later venerated as Saint Helena, was the mother of Constantine I. She was renounced by her husband Constantius I, but when Constantine I became emperor he proclaimed her empress dowager and brought her back to public life in 312 CE. In 326 tragedy struck when her grandson Crispus was accused by his stepmother Fausta of seducing her, and he was executed. Helena in her grief renounced Fausta, who was executed. Following this familial turmoil, Helena undertook a religious pilgrimage to Palestine in the same year. She established Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Church of Eleona on Mount of Olives, sites of Christ’s birth and ascension respectively. Later authors credit her with the discovery of the True Cross of Christ in Jerusalem, parts of which were taken back to Rome and placed in her private chapel. She is also allegedly responsible for the population of cats on Cyprus when she brought cats over from Egypt and Palestine to control the snake population in a monastery, today called St. Nicholas of the Cats. A skull believed to be hers is displayed in a crypt in the Cathedral of Trier, Germany.
Rev. Securitas standing l. holding branch in r. hand and dress in l. hand; around SE[CVRIT]AS [R]EIPVBLICE; below SMANTS; border of line
Weight: 3.2g
Diameter: 19.8mm
Helena, later venerated as Saint Helena, was the mother of Constantine I. She was renounced by her husband Constantius I, but when Constantine I became emperor he proclaimed her empress dowager and brought her back to public life in 312 CE. In 326 tragedy struck when her grandson Crispus was accused by his stepmother Fausta of seducing her, and he was executed. Helena in her grief renounced Fausta, who was executed. Following this familial turmoil, Helena undertook a religious pilgrimage to Palestine in the same year. She established Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Church of Eleona on Mount of Olives, sites of Christ’s birth and ascension respectively. Later authors credit her with the discovery of the True Cross of Christ in Jerusalem, parts of which were taken back to Rome and placed in her private chapel. She is also allegedly responsible for the population of cats on Cyprus when she brought cats over from Egypt and Palestine to control the snake population in a monastery, today called St. Nicholas of the Cats. A skull believed to be hers is displayed in a crypt in the Cathedral of Trier, Germany.
Date
325-329 CE
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