Byzantine Emperor Michael VII

See I am increasingly finding this century of interest. The world was a very dark and foreboding place around the year 1000. We see British Isles fall to the North men and most of western Europe is tying to eek out an existence. The splendor of Rome had now been one for 5 centuries.

We see a differnt economic and political situation occurring in the east. In India, a world away. Powerful warrior clans continue to produce fine silver drachms bearing the bust of Khusro II. These coins run contemporary to each other.

Western India
Siharas of Khankan (1000-1200 AD)
Anonymous
AR Drachm 14 mm x 4.19 g
Obverse: Stylized Sassanian Bust right. "Sri" in Brahmi behind head left field.
Reverse: Stylized Horseman spearing two falling enemies. Sun in upper right field.
ref: Mit. NIS 651v
Note: Fine Silver, Very Rare.

I had no idea that the portraits on those coins were stylised versions of the Khusro II type. Very interesting. Here is my best example of the Khusro II drachm....for comparison and a bit of 'show and tell'

Sorry Echizento!

Thanks VK. I need to work on the earlier period. I have a good representation of the middle and late period.

The "Dark Ages" is the old topos a la Gibbon and his concept of "decline and fall" versus more recent historiography, much of which paints a vibrant picture of Western Europe, based mainly on archaeological evidence.