PROBUS on horse 277AD RARE Authentic Ancient Roman Coin i39092

Item: i39092

Authentic Ancient Coin of:

Probus
–
Roman Emperor
: 276-282

A.D. –
Bronze Antoninianus 23mm (3.32 grams) Siscia mint,
277 A.D.
Reference: RIC 634. Aufbau, p. 50, emission 4
 VIRTVS PROBI AVG, radiate, helmeted and cuirassed
bust of Probus left, holding spear and shield,
ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Probus on horseback left, raising right hand and holding
scepter,
captive seated on ground under horse’s raised foreleg, XXIB in exergue.
 
You

Authenticity.

Probus (Latin:
Marcus Aurelius Probus
Augustus; c. 19 August 232 –
September/October 282), was
Roman Emperor
from 276
to 282.

During his reign, the
Rhine
and
Danube
frontier was
strengthened after successful wars against several
Germanic tribes
such as
the
Goths
,
Alamanni
,
Longiones
,
Franks
,
Burgundians
, and
Vandals
. The
Agri Decumates
and much
of the
Limes Germanicus
in
Germania Superior
were
officially abandoned during his reign, with the Romans
withdrawing to the
Rhine
and
Danube
rivers.

Life

Born in 232 in
Sirmium
(modern day
Sremska Mitrovica
),
Pannonia Inferior
, the
son of Dalmatius, Probus entered the army around 250
upon reaching adulthood. Appointed as a
military tribune
by the
emperor
Valerian
, he later
distinguished himself under the emperors
Aurelian
and
Tacitus
. He was
appointed governor of the East by Tacitus, whose death
in 276 prompted Probus’ soldiers to proclaim him
emperor.

Florianus
, the
half-brother of Tacitus, was also proclaimed successor
by his soldiers, but he was killed after an indecisive
campaign.^[9]
Probus travelled west, defeating the Goths along the
lower Danube in 277, and acquiring the title of
Gothicus. His position as emperor was ratified by
the
Senate
around this
time.

As Emperor

In 278, Probus campaigned successfully in
Gaul
against the
Alamanni
and
Longiones
; both tribes
had advanced through the
Neckar
valley and
across the Rhine into Roman territory. Meanwhile, his
generals defeated the
Franks
and these
operations were directed to clearing
Gaul
of Germanic
invaders (Franks
and
Burgundians
), allowing
Probus to adopt the titles of Gothicus Maximus
and Germanicus Maximus.

One of his principles was never to allow the soldiers
to be idle, and to employ them in time of peace on
useful works, such as the planting of vineyards in Gaul,
Pannonia and other districts, in order to restart the
economy in these devastated lands.^[14]
Of a greater and more lasting significance, Probus began
the strategy of settling the Germanic tribes in the
devastated provinces of the empire.

In 279–280, Probus was, according to
Zosimus
, in
Raetia
,
Illyricum
and
Lycia
, where he fought
the
Vandals
. In the same
years, Probus’ generals defeated the
Blemmyes
in
Egypt
. Probus then
ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along
the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire
was centered.

In 280–281, Probus put down three usurpers,
Julius Saturninus
,
Proculus
and
Bonosus
. The extent of
these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that
they were not just local problems. In 281, the emperor
was in Rome, where he celebrated his
triumph
.

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign,
delayed by the revolts in the west. He left Rome in 282,
travelling first towards Sirmium, his birth city. About
Probus’ death different accounts exist. According to
John Zonaras
, the
commander of the
Praetorian Guard

Marcus Aurelius Carus

had been proclaimed, more or less unwillingly, emperor
by his troops.

Assassination (282)

Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but
when those troops changed sides and supported Carus,
Probus’ remaining soldiers assassinated him at Sirmium
(September/October 282). According to other sources,
however, Probus was killed by disgruntled soldiers, who
rebelled against his orders to be employed for civic
purposes, like draining marshes.^[24]
Carus was proclaimed emperor after Probus’ death and
avenged the murder of his predecessor.