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.
Click on coin catalog links to view images:
| Catalog | Denom | Inscription | Reverse Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Aurelian A.D. 270-275 |
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| 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} |
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This page last updated 23 Feb 2021
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