Smackdown IV Assassination

this is probaby a syrian provenicail (emesa) of elagabalus.






here is a caracalla from the antioch mint..

Assassinations have been a part of Political History for a very long time and unlike usurpations do not always involve a regime change as a necessary part of the agenda.
In the past 100 years some of the most notable assassinations while almost always political in nature did not involve the overthrow of the top Banana's.
Archduke Ferdinand,'Bobby' Kennedy,Martin Luther King etc.

Sometimes the 'Boss' benefited ..... Sometimes he didn't.

Sometimes he may have been involved up to his eyeballs.

I have selected 2 'non' Emperors for your consideration



"Germanicus Julius Caesar (24 May 15 BC - - " 10 October AD 19), commonly known as Germanicus, was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and a prominent general of the early Roman Empire."

The nephew of the Emperor Tiberius (son of Drusus Claudius Nero) Germanicus rose to great prominence and grew so popular after his 'German' Campaigns which recovered the lost Imperial Eagles of Varus that it caused some difficulties for his uncle.
Germanicus was promptly dispatched to Asia where he conducted military campaigns and added Cappadocia and Commegene to the Empire as Provinces. While 'vacationing' in Egypt Germanicus apparently committed several 'offences' infringing on the Royal Prerogative of Tiberius. This caused additional political friction with Tiberius. The Governor of Syria,Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso further inflamed the situation by countermanding orders left by Germanicus regarding Provincial matters.

Wiki
"In the midst of this feud Germanicus was stricken with a mysterious illness and died shortly thereafter in Antioch. His death aroused much speculation, with several sources blaming Piso, acting under orders from Emperor Tiberius. This was never proven, and Piso later died while facing trial (ostensibly by suicide, but Tacitus supposes Tiberius may have had him murdered before he could implicate the emperor in Germanicus' death). He feared the people of Rome knew of the conspiracy against Germanicus, but Tiberius' jealousy and fear of his nephew's popularity and increasing power was the true motive as understood by Tacitus."

Whether Germanicus was poisoned or not the people in positions to know believed he was. We have no choice from this distance but to believe the word of Tacitus.


GERMANICVS AE Dupondius
Obv. GERMANICVS CAESAR Germanicus in triumphal quadriga right holding eagle tipped scepter
Rv. SIGNIS RECEPT DEVICTVS GERM S C Germanicus standing left right arm raised (Heil !) legionary eagle in left
29mm 15.02 grams
Sear 1820




Minted by his son Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
aka Caligula

Nero Claudius Drusus, later Drusus Julius Caesar (adoptive name; 13 BC - - " 14 September 23 AD)

Drusus was the only son of the Emperor Tiberius. As heir apparent to the Julio Claudian dynasty presented an obstacle to the ambitions of Lucius Aelius Sejanus the Commander of the Praetorian Guard. Accoring Tacitus and Suetonius Sejanus first seduced Livilla the wife of Drusus and then poisoned him with her help.

Wiki
"Before the birth of the twins, Livilla may already have been in a relationship with Sejanus, Tiberius' Praetorian Prefect. Moreover Drusus, who was naturally irascible, had once in the course of a casual argument with Sejanus raised his fist and struck him in the face. By 23 it looked as if Drusus, who made no secret of his antipathy towards Sejanus, would succeed Tiberius as emperor. For reasons of self-survival, but also because he may have had designs on the supreme power, Sejanus needed to remove Drusus. Ancient sources (Tacitus, Suetonius, Cassius Dio) concur that with Livilla as his accomplice he poisoned her husband. If Drusus was indeed murdered, then it was done so skillfully that his death in 23 gave rise to no suspicion, having as he did a reputation for heavy drinking. Sejanus (in 25) asked for Livilla's hand in marriage but Tiberius forbade it."

Again there is some question as to whether a conspiracy and murder actually occurred. But people in a position to know something certainly believed it ..... and Livilla the widow of Drusus and lover of Sejanus (criminal enough) dies after the downfall of the 'upstart'.

DRVSVS AE As
Obv. DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N bare head of Drusus left
Rv. PONTIF TRIBVN POTEST ITER S C
28-9mm 10.76 grams
Sear 1794 Rome AD23

Fantastic Germanicus! Was thinking about posting my Germanicus & Drusus... nah... your coin rocks and the writeup is great.

Fun topic. Here are my submissions.

Julius Caesar (49 - 44 B.C. as dictator) This coin is a two-for-one because you also have the supposed depiction of Vercingetorix on the reverse who was ritually strangled during Caesars triumph after the Gallic war.
AR Denarius, 46 - 45 B.C., Spain (Military Mint), 18.8mm, 3.89g, ~30°, RSC 13.
Obv: Diademed head of Venus right, wearing earring and necklace, Cupid behind shoulder.
Rev: Captive Gallic woman and man seated beneath trophy of arms; CAESAR in ex.


Aurelian (AD 270-275) Assassinated by Praetorian Guard
Silvered Antoninianus, A.D. 272-273, Unknown mint, 23.2mm, 4.25g, 0°, RIC V 394; scarce.
Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: IOVI CONSER. Aurelian standing right with scepter in left, receiving globe from Jupiter with scepter; B in ex.

Macrinus probably doesn't count in the strictest sense of the word but like you say Ben he was murdered and its a pleasing coin which all adds to the contest. So many fantastic coins actually think this may be the closest contest yet.

I read 12 Caesars several years ago and forgot what a great read it was, def going to have another browse this evening ..

hmm not for me

Postumus, AR antoninianus

Was declared emperor by rebelling soldiers in Gaul in 260 AD, becoming emperor of the newly-established Gallic Empire, a breakaway state that included Gaul, Britain, and Hispania. Nearly a decade later he would be assassinated by his own troops.