CONSTANTINE II Jr. Constantine the Great son Ancient Roman Coin ALTAR i32777

Item: i32777

Authentic Ancient

Coin of:

Constantine II ‘Junior’ – Roman Emperor: 337-340 A.D. –

Bronze AE3 19mm (2.39 grams) Treveri mint  323 A.D.
Reference: RIC 327v (VII, Trier)
CONSTANTINVSIVNNOBC – Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left,
 holding Victory on globe and mappa.
 BEATATRANQVILLITAS Exe: PTR – Altar reading VOT/IS/XX with globe atop;
 three stars over globe.

You are bidding on the exact item pictured,

Authenticity.

Royal/Imperial
symbols of power

Ruling dynasties often exploit pomp and ceremony with the use of
regalia
:
crowns
,

robes,
orb (globe) and sceptres
, some of which are reflections
of formerly practical objects. The use of language mechanisms also support this
differentiation with subjects talking of “the crown” and/or of “the
throne
” rather than referring directly to
personal names and items.

Monarchies
provide the most explicit
demonstration of tools to strengthen the elevation of leaders. Thrones sit high
on daises
leading to subjects lifting their gaze
(if they have permission) to contemplate the ruler. Architecture in general can
set leaders apart: note the symbolism inherent in the very name of the Chinese
imperial
Forbidden City
.

Flavius Claudius Constantinus, known in English as
Constantine II, (316-340) was
Roman Emperor
from 337
to
340. The eldest son of
Constantine the Great
and
Fausta
, he was born at
Arles
, and was raised as a Christian.

On

March 1
,
317,
Constantine was made
Caesar
, and at the age of seven in 323, took
part in his father’s campaign against the
Sarmatians
. At the age of ten he became
commander of Gaul
, after the death of his half-brother
Crispus
. An inscription dating to 330 records
the title of Alamannicus, so it is probable that his generals won a
victory over the
Alamanni
. His military career continued when
Constantine I elected his son field commander during the 332 campaign against
the Goths
.

Following the death of his father in 337, Constantine II
became emperor jointly with his brothers
Constantius II
and
Constans
. After the division of the empire,
made by the three brothers in September of the same year in Pannonia, he ruled
over Gaul
,
Britannia
and
Hispania
.

He was involved in the struggle between the different
Christian streams. The Western portion of the empire leaned towards
Catholicism
and against
Arianism
, and Constantine freed
Athanasius
and allowed him to return to
Alexandria
. This action also put some burden on
Constantius II, who was a supporter of Arianism.

At first, he was the guardian of his younger brother Constans, whose portion
was
Italia
,
Africa
and
Illyricum
. As Constans came of age, Constantine
would not relinquish the guardianship and in 340 he marched against Constans in
Italy, but was defeated at
Aquileia
and he was killed in an ambush in
Cervignano del Friuli
. Constans came to control
his deceased brother’s realm.

Division of the Roman Empire among the Caesars appointed by
Constantine I
: from left to right,
the territories of Constantine II,
Constans I
,
Dalmatius
and
Constantius II
. After the death of
Constantine I (May 337), this was the formal division of the Empire,
until Dalmatius was killed and his territory divided between
Constans and Constantius.