Second Brass of Theodosius AD 392 - AD 395

Second Brass of Theodosius AD 392 - AD 395

Bronze

Obv: Theodosius, with pearl diadem, draped, cuirassed D.N.THEODO[SIVS] P.F.AVG. Rev: Emperor(?) standing, standard in right hand, globe in left hand. GLORIA ROMANORVM ANTA The reverse is wholly appropriate for Theodosius, whose achievements did much to restore the fading glory of Imperial Rome. They included several resounding victiories over the Goths, victory over the usurpers Magnus Maximus (387) and Eugenius (394), restoration of Valentinian II as sole ruler of the West and a long-lived treaty with the Persians. This remarkable record was marred by a single inglorious episode in A.D. 390: the massacre of over 7000 inhabitants of Thessalonica as a reprisal for the murder of one of his lieutenants. For this Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, compelled Theodosius to do penance for a period of eight months.

Bronze, Minted in Antioch

Transfered from the University of Queensland Library, Brisbane, 1979.

AD 392-395

C.188