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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,112 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
I got to paw through a batch of 3rd & 4th century Roman bronzes today, and this totally unattributed one got my attention for its slightly "barbarous" looking portrait. If I have it correct, that actually wouldn't be too surprising, as I believe it's an issue of Tetricus I, the last ruler of the Gallic Empire. After Aurelian took back the Gallic Empire by force, quite amazingly he spared Tetricus' life, and then even made him a senator and provincial governor in the newly reconstituted Roman Empire. I think this is RIC 127.   Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Yup, Tetricus I, Salus reverse. Official issue.
According to one source I read (I believe paraphrasing the Historia Augusta, so take that as you will), Tetricus was actually drafted to the purple against his will, and sent a secret correspondence to Aurelian: "Deliver me, O Undefeated One, from these troubles." Not especially surprising, since in those days it was common for soldiers to butcher their emperor mid-battle if the outcome wasn't looking good.
I believe Tetricus retired to obscurity, and his son Tetricus II was the one who went on to hold public office, but I couldn't find any supporting documentation for that.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Quite a nice portrait, too. Congratulations.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
That is quite well-struck for a Tetricus I antoninianus.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
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I believe Tetricus retired to obscurity, and his son Tetricus II was the one who went on to hold public office... The events of this period really aren't as well documented as might be desired. Historians don't even all agree that an actual battle between the armies of Tetricus and Aurelian was what decided things, as opposed to a confrontation and submission, with the combat between Aurelian's legions and the now leaderless Gallic troops occurring more or less as an afterthought. Such fragmentary and conflicting accounts as we have nowadays confusingly state that after the surrender of the Tetrici, the son "kept his senatorial rank" which of course makes no sense at all, unless one presumes he was already a Gallic Empire senator at the time, and that a Roman senator's position was conferred upon him as part of the process of reabsorbing the Gallic Empire into the greater Roman one. What seems to be the difficulty for modern historians is that father and son had precisely the same name. Undoubtedly subsequent to the events of 274, Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus becomes a Roman senator. But was it the elder, the younger, or maybe even both? One was also certainly appointed corrector (governor) of Lucania et Bruttii. This latter position seems to have been filled by the elder, but we may never know that for sure. Colligo ergo sum
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Moderator
 United States
34428 Posts |
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That is quite well-struck I was thinking that the central elements like the portrait have amazing detail remaining. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
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Yup, Tetricus I, Salus reverse. Did I get the specific catalog reference correct also? Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Yes, RIC V, part 2, 127. Obv legend 4 = IMP TETRICVS P F AVG bust type F = radiate, draped, curassed right It takes some imagination to see the anchor. Her left hand is resting on top of the shank and the fluke is visible near her foot.  Edited by Kushanshah
04/30/2018 5:47 pm
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,112 |
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Posted 04/24/2018 8:03 pm
