Go to home page Go to home page
Prior Page Page Up Next Page

 

Coins of Rome about Parthia:
Aurelian (A.D. 270-275)

L. Domitius Aurelianus, born to humble parents, adopted a military career, and by his skill became one of the Empire’s greatest generals. After the death of Claudius Gothicus, he was proclaimed emperor by his troops, and after the suicide of Quintillus, he was left as undisputed master of the Empire. During his short reign he completely restored the Roman Empire to its former extent, with the exception of Dacia which was abandoned in A.D. 271. He put an end to the Palmyrene Empire in the east and Gallo-Roman Empire in the west. He began the building of fortified wall around Rome, not completed until the reign of Probus. Aurelian fell victim to a conspiracy of his chief officers and was assassinated at Caenophrurium in Thrace.

When Zenobia of Palmyra revolted against Roman authority and began acquiring Roman territories, Aurelian marched from Gaul to put down the revolt. While it is not clear which captives are indicated on the ORIENS AVG coin, it is most likely the Sasanian-supported Palmyreans, not the usually attributed Persians.


Coins in the Name of Aurelian

Click on coin catalog links to view images:

Catalog Denom Inscription Reverse Type

Aurelian  A.D. 270-275

RIC 135
RIC 248
RIC 277
anton AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L holding globe, with captive at foot; in exergue T XX T [?]
RIC 62 anton IMP AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L holding globe, with two captives at feet (also RIC 63, 64, 137)
Image anton IMP AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. R holding whip, treading down captive; XXIP in exergue
RIC 140 anton IMP AVRELIANVS AVG / RESTITVT ORIENTIS Emperor stand. L holding sceptre receiving wreath from female L (also RIC 234, 351)
RIC 61 anton IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol walking l., r. hand raised, l. holding globe, treading down two captives; also RIC 62
ANS
1991.78.8
anton
forgery
IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L holding globe in R and raising L; captives to L and R [Leu listing 89]
RIC 249 anton IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L, R hand raised, L holding globe, between two captives; also RIC 255, 278
RIC 255 anton IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol walking L, holding whip between two captives. XXIV in exergue
RIC 151 silvered Ticinum anton IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L. holding globe, with two captives at feet; in exergue T XX T [?]
ANS
1991.78.8
anton
forgery
IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / ORIENS AVG Sol stand. L. holding globe, with two captives at feet [Leu listing 89}

The images are used by permission of their copyright owners. See the Coins of Rome about Parthia index page for a listing of these generous individuals, dealers and institutions.


This page last updated 23 Feb 2021

Prior Page Page Up Next Page
Home Site Index Site Map Feedback New Items Tech Info Search

Online since 28 March 1998
Copyright ©1998-2021 Edward C. D. Hopkins, all rights reserved

Click button to support Parthia.com   Click button to validate this page as HTML 4.01 compliant Click button to validate this page as CSS 3 compliant