The Adventures of Aemilian

[kirispupis]

As I mentioned earlier, I recently added a number of interesting coins to my collection. After writing up timelines of the Romans in my collection, I decided to fill up a few of the many holes in my collection. I was quickly attracted to this one, and after reasoning with myself for a few days, confirmation bias kicked in and I added it.

Aemilian
Rome 253 CE
AR Antoninianus 20mm, 4,29g, 5h
Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right /
DIANAE VICTRI, Diana standing left, holding arrow and bow
RIC IV 2b; RSC 10

 

Several things intrigued me about Aemilian. First, he ruled for only 88 days, so his coinage is on the scarcer side. Second, he was born in Djerba, Tunisia. Earlier this year, I planned out a trip to Tunisia that included Djerba. However, when planning the itinerary I learned that one of the ruins I wanted to see most was in a somewhat sketchy area. I inquired from locals whether it was safe to drive and learned that the Tunisian army is fighting an insurgency just a few miles from there, but that since the town that houses the ruins is an army base they would just ask to see my papers and let us through, and that we would be very safe since there are so many soldiers. Unfortunately, this explanation did not satisfy my wife and she chose to cancel that trip and head to Croatia (which I expect to be nice) instead. I did manage to sneak in a side trip to Bosnia though.

Anyways, moving on, Aemilian was proclaimed Emperor by his troops after a significant victory over the Gauls. I suspect alcohol may have been involved or simply that DisneyWorld didn't yet exist, so the next best thing after a big win was to turn to the purple. So, the next step after proclaiming oneself emperor is to take it, and thus he headed towards Rome.

Along the way, he met Trebonianus Gallus and his son Volusian, who plastered Aemilian's face over all the milk cartons and declared him an enemy of the state. Naturally this led to blows and, in the televised event of the year, Aemilian's troops defeated those of Gallus and Volusian at the Battle of Interamna Nahars. Gallus and Volusian were subsequently killed by their own troops.

Aemilian continued on the Roman Brick Road towards Rome, which required no GPS because every road went there. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed his rule and when he sent a gushing letter stating that he would relinquish power to them, they gave him even more titles and became fast pen-pals.

Unfortunately for Aemilian, Valerian, who later on would become the world expert in Persian carpeting, decided to take him on and moved towards Aemilian's forces. There was no battle. Instead, his troops, upon noticing that there were more men in Valerian's corps than in their own, and that all this bloodshed wouldn't get them anywhere if they were dead, did the gentlemen's thing and got rid of Aemilian.

What I found intriguing about this particular Denarius is the depiction of Artemis and the ethnic DIANAE VICTRI. AFAICT the text was used only by Aemilian in Roman coinage, though the reverse itself was used by other emperor's, notably Marcus Aurelius. 

Mattingly divides the coinage of Aemilian into two groups, with this one falling into the second depicting a more "aggressive" Aemilian where "Rome endures and peace is assured by the Emperor, but Mars has now to fight to ward off peril." (insert Artemis for Mars).

In some respects, this appears to be a bit of a diversion in Roman coinage, as Aemilian is truly placing his full emphasis on being a general. At least in that respect it backs up his entreaties to the Senate, that they could lead and he would fight. He is clearly placing an emphasis on his ability to win, and one might wonder what would have happened had he the opportunity to keep his word. Could Rome have turned more towards a Republic and history taken a dramatic right turn?

Instead, Aemilian became one of the lesser known emperors, and his successor suffered the ignominy of becoming the first Roman Emperor taken prisoner in battle, signaling an empire that was past its prime.

[Sulla80]

Always fun to pick up these short time emperors - I don't have a Rome mint coin from Aemilianus, but I do have this provincial:

Roman Provincial Coins, PISIDIA. Antioch. Aemilian (253). AE. Weight: 5.95 g. Diameter: 24 mm.
Obv: IMP C M AEM AEMILLIANO AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ANTIOCHI OCL A / S - R. Vexillum surmounted by eagle; signum to left and right.
Ref: RPC IX 1299; McClean 8967.

Edited December 19, 2024 by Sulla80

[Kali]

Aemilian (253 A.D.)

AR Antoninianus
O: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R: PACI AVG, Pax standing left, holding branch and sceptre.
Rome Mint
3.44g
21mm
RIC 8, C 26

[JAZ Numismatics]

That was an entertaining read! There should be a wikipedia for witty synopses of history. Wittypedia? I don't normally like to share coins I don't yet possess, but as I don't have Aemilian at the moment, here's a coin I won at CNG today. A bronze of Valerian I issued in Anemurium. Not a terribly interesting type, but I'm frequently attracted to portraits of emperors rendered in a primitivistic style by provincial engravers...

 

CILICIA, Anemurium. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ Triassarion (26.5mm, 10.74 g, 6h). Dated RY 2 (AD 254/5). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / ANЄ MOYPI ЄωN ЄT B (date) in four lines within laurel wreath; kantharos above. Köhler-Osbahr 93; RPC X Online 60277; SNG BN 717; SNG Levante –. Green-brown patina, slight porosity, small edge flaw. VF. 

From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Schulten (15 October 1990), lot 1020.

Edited December 19, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Very cool pickup!  I have a few provincial sestertii of his, but I only have one Antoninianus of Aemilian.

[CPK]

Nice coin and entertaining writeup! I've yet to add Aemilian to my collection.

[shanxi]

Don't forget his wife:

Mysia, Parium
Cornelia Supera (Augusta, 253)
Obv: G CORN SVPERA AVG, Diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: C G I H P, Capricorn right, holding globe; cornucopia above.
(C G I H P = Colonia Gemella Julia Hadriana Parian)
SNG von Aulock 7448, RPC IX 382
AE, 4.01g, 21 mm.

[Roman Collector]

I still have yet to acquire an Aemilian. You know how it is. 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Nary an example yet looking for one of a style and quality to make it a solid addition.