Trebonianus Gallus – Roman Emperor : 251-253 A.D. Silver
Antoninianus 20mm (3.23 grams) Struck at the mint of Rome 251-253 A.D.
Reference: RIC 39, C 67
IMPCAECVIBTREBGALLVSAVG – Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
LIBERTASAVGG – Libertas standing left, leaning on column and with legs
crossed,
holding pileus and scepter.
You are bidding on the exact item pictured, provided with a Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity.
LIBERTAS – Liberty is represented in two ways on coins: the one as a
woman with a naked head, which is the image of Roman Liberty; the other
having her head covered with a veil, and adorned with a diadem, is the
effigy of the goddess of liberty, whose temple was on Mount Aventine. The
veil is in this case the token of divinity, as indeed the diadem is the
ornament of a goddess. Liberty is represented not only on consular medals,
but also with considerable frequency on those of the imperial series.
Goddesses named for and representing the concept Liberty have existed
in many cultures, including classical examples dating from the Roman Empire
and some national symbols such as the British “Britannia” or the Irish
“Kathleen Ni Houlihan”. The ancient Roman goddess Libertas was
honored during the second Punic War by a temple erected on the Aventine Hill
in Rome by the father of Tiberius Gracchus. A statue in her honor was also
raised by Clodius on the site of Marcus Tullius Cicero’s house after it had
been razed. The figure also resembles Sol Invictus, the Roman god of sun.
Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus (206 – August, 253), was Roman Emperor from 251 to 253, in a joint rule with his son Volusianus.
Gallus was born in Italy, in a family with respected ancestry of Etruscan senatorial background. He had two children in his marriage with Afinia Gemina Baebiana: Gaius Vibius Volusianus, later Emperor, and a daughter, Vibia Galla. His early career was a typical cursus honorum, with several appointments, both political and military. He was suffect consul and in 250 was nominated governor of the Roman province of Moesia Superior, an appointment that showed the confidence of emperor Trajan Decius in him. In Moesia, Gallus was a key figure in repelling the frequent invasion attacks by the Gothic tribes of the Danube and became popular with the army, catered to during his brief Imperial rule by his official image: military haircut, gladiatorial physique, intimidating stance (illustration, left).
In June 251, Decius and his co-emperor and son Herennius Etruscus died in the Battle of Abrittus, at the hands of the Goths they were supposed to punish for raids into the empire, largely owing to the failure of Gallus to attack aggressively. When the army heard the news, the soldiers proclaimed Gallus emperor, despite Hostilian, Decius’ surviving son, ascending the imperial throne in Rome. Gallus did not back down from his intention to become emperor, but accepted Hostilian as co-emperor, perhaps to avoid the damage of another civil war. While Gallus marched on Rome, an outbreak of plague struck the city and killed young Hostilian. With absolute power now in his hands, Gallus nominated his son Volusianus co-emperor.
Eager to show himself competent and gain popularity with the citizens, Gallus swiftly dealt with the epidemic, providing burial for the victims. Gallus is often accused of persecuting the Christians, but the only solid evidence of this allegation is the imprisoning of Pope Cornelius in 252.
Like his predecessors, Gallus did not have an easy reign. In the East, Persian Emperor Shapur I invaded and conquered the province of Syria, without any response from Rome. On the Danube, the Gothic tribes were once again on the loose, despite the peace treaty signed in 251. The army was not long pleased with the emperor, and when Aemilianus, governor of Moesia Superior and Pannonia, took the initiative of battle and defeated the Goths, the soldiers proclaimed him emperor. With a usurper threatening the throne, Gallus prepared for a fight. He recalled several legions and ordered reinforcements to return to Rome from the Rhine frontier. Despite these dispositions, Aemilianus marched onto Italy ready to fight for his claim. Gallus did not have the chance to face him in battle: he and Volusianus were murdered by their own troops in August 253, in Interamna (modern Terni).
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