Dioceses of Diocletian Diocese was the name given to the 12 new territorial divi sions of the Roman Empire in the provincial reforms of Diocletian. The problem of the provinces had long trou bled the rulers of Rome, as governors had rebelled and had seized the throne, while the Senate had not relin quished its […]

Goths The GOTHS were a powerful group of Germanic people who played a major role in bringing down the Roman Empire in the West during the 3rd century AD. The Goths came essentially from the most northern edges of the Vistula River system, around the Baltic Sea. The Gothic culture developed as did their population […]

Constantinople Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire replacing Rome as the heart of imperial power, it maintained influence and stability in the face of the decline of the West. In 324 AD, Constantine I the Great defeated rival Emperor Licinius at the battle of Adrianople, laying claim to sole mastery over the […]

The Legal & Bureaucractic Reforms of Constantine Diocletian had started the many processes of centralization, and Constantine first embraced them and then expanded on them. First he subjected the bureaucracy to a massive overhaul. All ministries were under the command of the MAGISTER OFFICIORUM (master of offices), who supervised the rapidly centralized government. Although this […]

The Monetary Reform of Constantine Monetary System Silver Miliarense The monetary system of the Roman Empire underwent a considerable number of changes during the reign of Constantine. While he was still only a junior partner holding the rank of Caesar, Constantine reduced the weight of the follis at the mints then under his control (London, […]

Antony’s Legions Coinage issued to pay Antony’s Legions for the final battle of Actium. Monetary System Coinage was issued for each specific legion from II to XXIII, with some varieties. Also two special issues were struck SPECVLATORVM and PRAETORIARVM Mints: Alexandria, Traveling Mint Obverse Legends: ANT AVG  DENOMINATIONS AU Aureus (6.54 grms) AR Denarius (3.54 grms) The Monetary […]

Juba II King of Mauretania Son-in-law of Marc Antony & Cleopatra JUBA II was King of MAURETANIA and the son of King Juba I of Numidia. His father had supported Pompey against Caesar in Africa and continued to support the Pompeians even after the death of Pompey. Following Caesar’s victory, Juba I fled to Zama after the […]

DONATIVUM The name (plural, donativa) given to the gifts of money or largesse distributed to the soldiers of the LEGIONS or to the PRAETORIAN GUARD by the Emperors. The purpose of a donativum varied as some were tokens of gratitude for favors received, and others bribes for favors expected. Donativa were normally rendered at the start of IMPERIAL DONATIVA TO THE […]

Rostra This is the tribune of the orators d the name derives from the rostri the latin boats, which were prey of Romans after the battle of Aetium 1 BC. Moved here by the Comi ~m, for Caesar’s will, they were then larged by Augustus. The monument .5 a curved part of blocks of tufa, […]

Bronze Doors to The Senate of Rome Commissioned by Julius Caesar The doors were removed from the Curia during the middle ages and used in the construction of the church of St Latern in Rome where they remain to this day. To the right, is a detail photo of the handles on the inside of […]