CONSTANTINE II Constantine the Great son Roman Coin Glory of Army i45840

$100.00 $90.00

Availability: 1 in stock

SKU: i45840 Category:

Item: i45840

 

Authentic Ancient

Coin of:

 Constantine
II
 ‘Junior’ –
Roman Emperor
:  337-340 A.D.
Comstantine I the Great son as Caesar

 Bronze AE3 17mm (1.34 grams) Thessalonica mint: 337-340 A.D.
Reference: RIC VII 55
CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. rosette-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
 GLORIA EXERCITVS, two helmeted soldiers standing with spears & shields,
 facing standard between them, SMTSA in ex.

*Numismatic Note: The reverse legend dedicates this coin to
“the glory of the Army.”

 You are bidding on the exact item pictured,

provided with a Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee of

Authenticity.

Standards


Roman military standards. The standards with discs, or signa
(first three on left) belong to centuriae of the
legion (the image does not show the heads of the standards – whether
spear-head or wreathed-palm). Note (second from right) the
legion’s
aquila
. The standard on the
extreme right probably portrays the
She-wolf
(lupa) which fed
Romulus
, the legendary founder of
Rome. (This was the emblem of
Legio VI Ferrata
, a legion then
based in
Judaea
, a detachment of which is
known to have fought in Dacia). Detail from Trajan’s Column, Rome


Modern reenactors parade with replicas of various legionary
standards. From left to right: signum (spear-head type), with
four discs; signum (wreathed-palm type), with six discs;
imago
of ruling emperor; legionary aquila; vexillum
of commander (legatus) of
Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix
, with
embroidered name and emblem (Capricorn) of legion

Each tactical unit in the imperial army, from centuria upwards, had
its own standard. This consisted of a pole with a variety of adornments that was
borne by dedicated standard-bearers who normally held the rank of duplicarius.
Military standards had the practical use of communicating to unit members where
the main body of the unit was situated, so that they would not be separated, in
the same way that modern tour-group guides use umbrellas or flags. But military
standards were also invested with a mystical quality, representing the divine
spirit (genius) of the unit and were revered as such (soldiers frequently
prayed before their standards). The loss of a unit’s standard to the enemy was
considered a terrible stain on the unit’s honour, which could only be fully
expunged by its recovery.

The standard of a centuria was known as a signum, which was
borne by the unit’s signifer. It consisted of a pole topped by either an
open palm of a human hand or by a spear-head. The open palm, it has been
suggested, originated as a symbol of the
maniple
(manipulus = “handful”), the
smallest tactical unit in the
Roman army of the mid-Republic
. The poles were
adorned with two to six silver discs (the significance of which is uncertain).
In addition, the pole would be adorned by a variety of cross-pieces (including,
at bottom, a crescent-moon symbol and a tassel). The standard would also
normally sport a cross-bar with tassels.[194]

The standard of a Praetorian cohort or an auxiliary cohort or ala was
known as a vexillum
or banner. This was a square flag,
normally red in colour, hanging from a crossbar on the top of the pole. Stitched
on the flag would be the name of the unit and/or an image of a god. An exemplar
found in Egypt bears an image of the goddess Victory on a red background. The
vexillum
was borne by a vexillarius. A legionary detachment (vexillatio)
would also have its own vexillum. Finally, a vexillum
traditionally marked the commander’s position on the battlefield.[194]
The exception to the red colour appears to have been the Praetorian Guard, whose
vexilla, similar to their clothing, favoured a blue background.

From the time of
Marius
(consul 107 BC), the standard of all
legions was the
aquila
(“eagle”). The pole was surmounted
by a sculpted eagle of solid gold, or at least gold-plated silver, carrying
thunderbolts in its claws (representing
Jupiter
, the highest Roman god. Otherwise the
pole was unadorned. No exemplar of a legionary eagle has ever been found
(doubtless because any found in later centuries were melted down for their gold
content).[194]
The eagle was borne by the aquilifer, the legion’s most senior
standard-bearer. So important were legionary eagles as symbols of Roman military
prestige and power, that the imperial government would go to extraordinary
lengths to recover those captured by the enemy. This would include launching
full-scale invasions of the enemy’s territory, sometimes decades after the
eagles had been lost e.g. the expedition in 28 BC by
Marcus Licinius Crassus
against
Genucla
(Isaccea, near modern
Tulcea
, Rom., in the Danube delta region), a
fortress of the Getae
, to recover standards lost 33 years
earlier by
Gaius Antonius
, an earlier
proconsul
of
Macedonia
.[195]
Or the campaigns of AD 14-17 to recover the three eagles lost by
Varus
in AD 6 in the
Teutoburg Forest
.

Under Augustus, it became the practice for legions to carry portraits (imagines)
of the ruling emperor and his immediate family members. An imago was
usually a bronze bust carried on top of a pole like a standard by an
imaginifer
.

From around the time of Hadrian (r. 117-38), some auxiliary alae
adopted the dragon-standard (draco) commonly carried by Sarmatian cavalry
squadrons. This was a long cloth wind-sock attached to an ornate sculpture of an
open dragon’s mouth. When the bearer (draconarius) was galloping, it
would make a strong hissing-sound.

Decorations

The Roman army awarded a variety of individual decorations (dona) for
valour to its legionaries. Hasta pura was a miniature spear; phalerae
were large medal-like bronze or silver discs worn on the cuirass; armillae
were bracelets worn on the wrist; and

torques
were worn round the neck, or on the cuirass. The highest
awards were the coronae (“crowns”), of which the most prestigious was the
corona civica, a crown made oak-leaves awarded for saving the life of a
fellow Roman citizen in battle. The most valuable award was the corona
muralis
, a crown made of gold awarded to the first man to scale an enemy
rampart. This was awarded rarely, as such a man hardly ever survived.[196]

There is no evidence that auxiliary common soldiers received individual
decorations like legionaries, although auxiliary officers did. Instead, the
whole regiment was honoured by a title reflecting the type of award e.g.
torquata
(“awarded a torque”) or armillata (“awarded bracelets”).
Some regiments would, in the course of time, accumulate a long list of titles
and decorations e.g. cohors I Brittonum Ulpia torquata pia fidelis c.R..[193]

 


 

Flavius Claudius Constantinus, known in English as

Constantine II, (316-340) was

Roman Emperor

from 337

Campidoglio, Roma - Costantino II cesare dettaglio.jpgto

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.

He was soon involved in the struggle between factions rupturing the unity of
the
Christian Church
.[4]
The Western portion of the Empire, under the influence of the

Popes
in Rome
, favored
Catholicism
over
Arianism
, and through their intercession they
convinced Constantine to free
Athanasius
, allowing him to return to
Alexandria
.[9]
This action aggravated Constantius II, who was a committed supporter of Arianism.[5]

Constantine was initially the guardian of his younger brother Constans, whose
portion of the empire was
Italia
,
Africa
and
Illyricum
. Constantine soon complained that he
had not received the amount of territory that was his due as the eldest son.[8]
Annoyed that Constans had received
Thrace
and
Macedonia
after the death of Dalmatius,
Constantine demanded that Constans hand over the African provinces, to which he
agreed in order to maintain a fragile peace.[8][10]
Soon, however, they began quarreling over which parts of the African provinces
belonged to Carthage
, and thus Constantine, and which
belonged to Italy
, and therefore Constans.[11]

Further complications arose when Constans came of age and Constantine, who
had grown accustomed to dominating his younger brother, would not relinquish the
guardianship. In 340 Constantine marched into Italy at the head of his troops.[10]
Constans, at that time in
Dacia
, detached and sent a select and
disciplined body of his Illyrian troops, stating that he would follow them in
person with the remainder of his forces.[8]
Constantine was engaged in military operations[6]
and was killed in an ambush outside
Aquileia
.[10]
Constans took control of his deceased brother’s realm.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

How long until my order is shipped?:
Depending on the volume of sales, it may take up to 5 business days for

shipment of your order after the receipt of payment.

How will I know when the order was shipped?:
After your order has shipped, you will be left positive feedback, and that

date should be used as a basis of estimating an arrival date.

After you shipped the order, how long will the mail take?
USPS First Class mail takes about 3-5 business days to arrive in the U.S.,

international shipping times cannot be estimated as they vary from country

to country. I am not responsible for any USPS delivery delays, especially

for an international package.

What is a certificate of authenticity and what guarantees do you give

that the item is authentic?
Each of the items sold here, is provided with a Certificate of Authenticity,

and a Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity, issued by a world-renowned numismatic

and antique expert that has identified over 10000 ancient coins and has provided them

with the same guarantee. You will be quite happy with what you get with the COA; a professional presentation of the coin, with all of the relevant

information and a picture of the coin you saw in the listing.

Compared to other certification companies, the certificate of

authenticity is a $25-50 value. So buy a coin today and own a piece

of history, guaranteed.

Is there a money back guarantee?

I offer a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee. I stand

behind my coins and would be willing to exchange your order for

either store credit towards other coins, or refund, minus shipping

expenses, within 30 days from the receipt of your order. My goal is

to have the returning customers for a lifetime, and I am so sure in

my coins, their authenticity, numismatic value and beauty, I can

offer such a guarantee.

Is there a number I can call you with questions about my

order?

You can contact me directly via ask seller a question and request my

telephone number, or go to my

About Me Page to get my contact information only in regards to

items purchased on eBay.

When should I leave feedback?
Once you receive your

order, please leave a positive. Please don’t leave any

negative feedbacks, as it happens many times that people rush to leave

feedback before letting sufficient time for the order to arrive. Also, if

you sent an email, make sure to check for my reply in your messages before

claiming that you didn’t receive a response. The matter of fact is that any

issues can be resolved, as reputation is most important to me. My goal is to

provide superior products and quality of service.

  • Selection Required: Select product options above before making new offer.
  • Offer Sent! Your offer has been received and will be processed as soon as possible.
  • Error: There was an error sending your offer, please try again. If this problem persists, please contact us.

Make Offer

To make an offer please complete the form below:
$
Please wait...
YEAR

Year_in_description

RULER

Constantine II

DENOMINATION

Denomination_in_description

Shopping Cart