CONSTANTINE II Constantine the Great son Ancient Roman Coin Altar LONDON i22070

Item: i22070

Authentic Ancient

Coin of:

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

Bronze AE3 20mm (2.70 grams) Londinium mint 321-322 A.D.
Reference: RIC 257 (VII, London)
CONSTANTINVSIVNNC – Radiate, cuirassed bust left.
BEATTRANQVLITAS Exe: F/B/PLON – 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.