Nepotian 350 AD Ruled Rome for 28 days Nephew of Constantine the Great Flavius Julius Nepotianus Constantinus was a nephew of Constantine the Great. Nepotian seized power in Rome following the death of Constans in 350 AD. Nepotian proclaimed himself emperor and entered Rome with a band of gladiators on June 3rd, 350AD. After a brief […]

Vetranio 350AD Temporary Joint Emperor of Illyricum Vetranio was an elderly general who held the rank of magister militum under Constans. During the period of uncertainty following the downfall of the Emperor and Magnentius’ rise to power, Constantius‘ sister, Constantia, convinced Vetranio to become temporary joint Emperor in an effort to keep Magnentius in check while Constantius was otherwise engaged on the […]

The Monetary History of the Imperial Rome Chapter III By Martin A. Armstrong Claudius II died of the plague in 270 AD and was eventually succeeded by one of his leading generals – Aurelian. It was during the reign of Aurelian when the relentless attacks by the barbarians came to a temporary halt. Aurelian also […]

The Monetary History of the Imperial Rome Chapter IV By Martin A. Armstrong Following the abdication of Diocletian in 304 AD, the political stablility began to gradually disintegrate taking with it the silver coinage. The argentius began to decline in size, weight and silver content. However, we also see the introduction of a half-argentius between 306-307 AD again illustrating […]

The Monetary History of the Imperial Rome Chapter V By Martin A. Armstrong Following the death of Constantius II in 360 AD, the empire fell into the hands of the last heir of Constantine The Great – Julian II (360-363 AD) . Julian also instituted economic and governmental reforms as well as religious reforms due […]

The Monetary History of the Imperial Rome Chapter II By Martin A. Armstrong Following the death of Caracalla in 217 AD, the double aureus did not immediately survive. The double aureus was finally reintroduced around 249 AD by Trajan Decius (249 – 251 AD). The silver antoninianus did manage to hang on briefly, but it was not issued in substantial quantities. It completely disappeared from […]

The Monetary History of the Imperial Rome Chapter I By Martin A. Armstrong Following the death of Julius Caesar and the conclusion of the final civil war of the period, the emergence of a major monetary reform under Augustus changed forever the monetary system of Rome. It is with Augustus that we find a complete […]

Constantius II 337 – 361 AD Second son of Constantine the Great Flavius Julius Constantius II was the second son of Constantine I and Fausta. Constantius was born in 317 AD and given the rank of Caesar 324 AD. He was named after his grandfather, Constantius I Chlorus. Following the death of his father in 337 AD, the Empire was divided […]

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 […]

Flavia Maxima Fausta Wife of Constantine Daughter Maximianus Mother of Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans Flavia Maxima Fausta was the daughter of Maximianus. In 307 AD, when she was about seventeen, she was married to Constantine the Great to seal his alliance with the regime of her father and her brother, Maxentius, in Rome. On this occasion, she […]