Flavius Julius Crispus
Eldest son of Constantine I the Great Caesar
Born 303 AD – Executed 326 AD
Flavius Julius Crispus was born about 303 AD, the eldest son of Constantine the Great, by his first wife (or concubine) Minervina. Crispus was educated by a family friend, Lactantius, while being raised in Gaul. In March 317 AD, Crispus was given the rank of Caesar, which he shared with his step-brother Constantine II. Crispus inherited his father’s military talents and showed great promise. He commanded the fleet in 324 AD, which defeated Licinius I at the battle of Aadrianopolis.
Crispus returned to Rome along with his father in 326 AD. Something must have happened between the two because Crispus fell out of favor with his father, similar to that of Alexander the Great with his father Philip II. However, it appears that Empress Fausta was jealous of the threat Crispus posed to her three sons. Fausta may have attempted to seduce Crispus to accuse him of attempted rape falsely. Whatever the case, Constantine took the issue quite seriously and sided with Fausta. In 326 AD in Pola, Crispus was executed. On learning the truth, Constantine also had Fausta put to death.
Monetary System
Note: Crispus is usually depicted on gold and many bronze issues in the traditional pose as “Prince of the Youth.”
Mints: Alexandria, Antioch, Arelate, Constantinople, Cyzicus, Heraclea, London, Lugdunum, Nicomedia, Rome, Siscia, Sirmium, Thessalonica, Ticinum, Treveri
Obverse Legends:
CRISPVS NOB CAES
CRISPVS NOBIL C
CRISPVS NOBIL CAES
CRISPVS NOBILISS CAES
FL IVL CRISPVS NOB C
FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES
D N CRISPVS NOB CAESAR
D N FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES
IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES
DENOMINATIONS
Silver Miliarense
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AU Semissis (2.25 grams)
AU 1½ Scripulum (1.65 grams)
AR Miliarense (4.50 grams)
AE3
