CONSTANS Constantine I son AE2 Ancient Roman Coin Soldier Child barbarian i29785

Item: i29785

 Authentic Ancient

Coin of:

Constans – Roman Emperor: 337-350 A.D. –

Bronze Centenionalis AE2 20mm (3.95 grams) Nicomedia mint: 348-351 A.D.
Reference: RIC VIII 70
 DN CONSTANS PF AVG, diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left holding globe
 FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier dragging young barbarian from hut beneath tree
of one
branch with millet-like head with a multi-leaved stalk on each side,
Star above,  SMNB in ex.

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

Julius Constans (320-350) was a

Roman Emperor

who ruled from 337 until his death. Constans was the

third and youngest son of

Constantine the Great

and

Fausta
,

Constantine’s second wife.

On 25 December 333 Constantine elevated Constans to Caesar.

In 337 he succeeded his father, jointly with his older

brothers

Constantine II

and

Constantius II

, receiving

Italy
,

Pannonia

and Africa
as

his portion. Constantine II, who ruled over Gaul, Spain and Britain, attempted

to take advantage of his youth and inexperience by invading Italy in 340, but

Constans defeated Constantine at

Aquileia
,

where the older brother died. The invasion was the effect of brotherly tensions

between the two emperors. Constantine II was, at first, Constans’s guardian. As

Constans grew older, Constantine II never relinquished that position.

In 341-2, Constans led a successful campaign against the

Franks
and in

the early months of 343 visited

Britain

. The source for this visit,

Julius Firmicus Maternus

, does not give a reason for this but the quick

movement and the danger involved in crossing the

channel

in the dangerous winter months, suggests it was in response to a

military emergency of some kind, possibly to repel the

Picts
and

Scots
.

Regarding religion, Constans was tolerant of Judaism but

promulgated an edict banning pagan sacrifices in 341. He suppressed

Donatism

in Africa and supported

Nicene orthodoxy

against

Arianism
,

which was championed by his brother Constantius the latter. Constans called the

Council of Sardica

, which unsuccessfully tried to settle the conflict.

In 350, the general

Magnentius

declared himself emperor with the support of the troops on the

Rhine
frontier,

and later the entire Western portion of the Roman Empire. Constans lacked any

support beyond his immediate household, and was forced to flee for his life.

Magnentius’ supporters cornered him in a fortification in Helena, southwestern

Gaul, where he was

killed by Magnentius’s assassins.