Galla Placidia

Yup, you read right. Its another milestone for my collection and an excellent coin to help wind down the year with. Had to sacrifice a few good coins for it but this extremely rare 5th century AD Roman ruler was worth it for me. Its not exactly in great shape but Placidia coins rarely ever come around for sale and I definitely won't be able to afford a silver or gold of her anytime soon, so I had to jump on this one as soon as I could. Its hard to see but it is the cross surrounded by SALVS REIPVBLICE reverse. If you'll also look closely you can see GALLA on the left hand area of the obverse.

Galla Placidia, Western Roman Empire
AE nummus
Obv: D N GALLA PLA-CIDIA P F AVG, female, pearl-diademed bust right, wearing necklace and earrings
Rev: SALVS REI-PVBLICE around cross, T in left field
Mint: Rome (Mintmark: RM in ex)
Ref: RIC X 2111
(attribution info from Wildwinds)



Aelia Galla Placidia was born in 388 in Thessalonica to Emperor Theodosius and his wife Galla, and was the half-sister to the emperors Honorius and Arcadius. After the death of Theodosius in 395, Placidia was sent to reside in the western half of the empire, more specifically in the household of Stilicho, the half-Vandal Master of Soldiers of Honorius, and Stilicho's wife Serena, who happened to be a first cousin to Placidia and her half-brothers. Unfortunately Stilicho fell out of favor with Honorius and was executed in 408, an action that would have dire consequences for the Western Roman Empire.



Placidia was present in Rome during its siege and sacking in 410 by the Visigoths under King Alaric, and was taken captive as part of their immense loot. She was then married off to Alaric's brother Ataulf, who became king after Alaric's death. A few years later while the Visigoths were in Spain, Placidia bore Ataulf a son, named Theodosius after his grandfather, but the child died after only a few weeks. Ataulf died in 416, and his successor Sigeric treated the widow badly. Fortunately this state of affairs lasted only a week with Sigeric's asassination. The new Visigothic king, Wallia, then gave Placidia back to Emperor Honorius per a peace treaty with the Romans. Later, she ended up marrying again, to the general Constantius, and had a son and daughter with him: the future emperor Valentinian III and Justa Grata Honoria. Constantius became co-emperor (Constantius III) with Honorius in 421, but died after only several months.

Placidia later feuded with Honorius, and with her children found refuge in the court of Theodosius II, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire and the son of Arcadius. Meanwhile, in 423, Honorius died and so Theodosius proclaimed Valentinian as Western emperor and bestowed upon Placidia the title of Augusta, in order that she rule in young Valentinian's name until he was of age. But the western throne was quickly taken by the usurper Johannes. Two years later Theodosius sent his forces to Ravenna to depose Johannes, which was swiftly achieved.


(Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, in Ravenna)

During her regency, Placidia wielded considerable power and influence. She often quarreled with the Roman general Flavius Aetius, a very effective and influential military leader. Aetius convinced the governor of Africa Bonifacius that Placidia wanted him arrested for treason. This led to Bonifacius to declare independence from the Roman Empire, and he convinced the Vandals in Spain to cross over to North Africa to aid in fighting off a possible invasion from Italy. Soon, however, Bonifacius came to terms with Placidia and tried to have the Vandals leave, but the barbarians revolted and they ended up taking North Africa from the Romans.

In 437, Valentinian III began to rule in his own right, and so Placidia's regency ended. She still held onto some political power until her death in 450. Placidia had proved to be a very capable and popular ruler during her time in power, and was known to have used much of her wealth to build churches and to help the poor.

Western Roman Empire (orange) and Eastern Roman Empire (pink) at time of Placidia's death (450 AD):


(green and purple were areas the Romans had lost)

Sources:

http://jaysromanhistory.com/romeweb...nt/art28.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galla_Placidia