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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,402 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Expanded my 10th-11th century Byzantine subcollection with Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos (Romanus I Lecapenus). Its not in the best shape but I got this uncommon ruler for cheap and what remains of the details look pretty good and clear, especially the imperial portrait (he actually has a face!) Romanos I Lekapenos, Byzantine/Eastern Roman EmpireAE follis Obv: RWMAN bASILEVS RWM, crowned bust of Romanus facing, bearded, wearing chlamys, holding labarum and cross on globe Rev: RWMA / N EN QEW bA / SILEVS RW / MAIWN, legend in four lines Mint: Constantinople (struck 920-944 AD) Ref: SB 1760  Born around 870 AD, Romanos had originally been an army commander and later became the head admiral of the entire Byzantine fleet. Romanos sailed to Constantinople in the aftermath of the Byzantine defeat at Acheloos in 917 and eventually took over power from the empress regent Zoe in 920. Romanos did not kill the rightful heir, Constantine Porphyrogennetos, but did push him back to third in line for the throne, after Romanos's eldest son Christopher. He also had his daughter Helena marry Constantine Porphyrogennetos to help strengthen his position. Romanos's early reign was riddled with conspiracies, all of which he dealt with successfully. He was able to secure peace initially with Simeon I of Bulgaria, whom Romanos recognized as an equal emperor as part of the peace settlement, and later peace was also achieved with Simeon's successor Peter by marrying his granddaughter Maria to him. Romanos's empire saw some success against the Abbasids in the east, recovering the western Anatolian city of Melitene for the Byzantines. His forces also fought and won against the Rus in 941. Eventually, Romanos started to feel guilty over his taking of the throne from Constantine Porphyrogennetos, and after the death of Christopher did not promote his two other sons, Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos, over Constantine. This led to a revolt by the two brothers and their deposition of Romanos in 944 and his subsequent exile. They attempted to do away with Constantine Porphyrogennetos as well but were forced into exile as well by those loyal to Constantine, who was now Constantine VII. Feel free to post your Romanos, Constantine VII, or any other 10th-11th century Byzantine coins. Hopefully my thread gets more than a couple of replies this time around. Edited by VisigothKing
04/16/2015 01:19 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I like it, haven't come across any coins of him. Nice coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Fascinating write up. Now you have a coin for the void area in our walking back thread.
Great coin. I am going to need to pick up some of these 8-10th century Byzantine coins. VK I am still waiting for you to pick up a Hun. What are the middle ages without Huns?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
good write up VK! I don't have any 10th century byzantine coins, and from our "walking back in time thread", looks like this century is pretty dry for all parts of the world. for the byzantines, it seems to pick up again in the 12th century.
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New Member
United States
36 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4778 Posts |
Thanks guys for the comments.
Chrsmat, what do you need for the thread right now? Last I checked you guys were in the late 900s? Maybe my Byzantines can fit the bill.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Romanus I (920-944 during the reign of Constantine VII, 931-944) is hard to find in nice shape.   Sear 1760. 26-24 mm. 4.85 grams. Dumbarton Oaks 25. "Romanus, by the grace of God, king of the Romans" For stories of the Byzantine emperors (with very little dull stuff) I highly recommend the series by John Julius Norwich, "Byzantium" (in three volumes [Early Centuries, Apogee, Decline and Fall], or condensed into one volume as his "A short history of Byzantium.") If you can afford a Byzantine coin, you can afford these fascinating books and I assure you they will make you enjoy your coins twice as much. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Definitely a nice coin augustus1.
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Valued Member
United States
129 Posts |
Great write up, as usual VK. Makes me want to dig out my Psellus.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36845 Posts |
It's always an education reading these Ancient threads.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
vk the thread is dead(ish), AN tried to breath some life in...feel fre give it some CPR of your own.
cool coin also VAL. I read his short version (short history), very good.
made me buy more byzantines and added several to my list....including the ones you guys have posted.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Only just noticed your post chrsmat. Happens a lot with my threads, them dying quickly. But I keep posting here for the three or four people who are interested in what I have to share.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
Thanks for the writeup. An interesting coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
356 Posts |
I really like the coin. Romanus is one of my favorite Roman Emperors. I say Roman, because until Constantinople fell, each man who sat on the throne considered himself a descendant if not in blood, but in name, of Caesar Augustus. Anyone interested can read Sir Runciman's book on him, it was his doctoral thesis. He was the foremost authority on Late Roman, i.e Byzantine history. Indeed, I followed in his footsteps and did my graduate thesis on Romanus as well. The incredible books mentioned above from Lord Norwich are as stated, superb and highly suggested. Lord Norwich studied under Sir Runciman and was good friends with him. Yes, Romanus was truly a unique Emperor and like Diocletian abdicated the throne and spent his final years in a seclusion, contemplating his deeds. Enjoy the coin!
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,402 |
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Posted 04/16/2015 08:50 am
