Roman Empire Gallienus 253-268 AD Antoninianus FIDES MILITVM Billon 2.63g, 20mm

Roman Empire 

Gallienus 253-268 AD Antoninianus FIDES MILITVM 

Billon antoninianus, weight: 2.63g, diameter: 20mm,

 obverse GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right;

reverse FIDES MILITVM (the loyalty of the soldiers, M appearing as IIII), Fides standing slightly left, head left, standard in left, scepter in right, N (appearing as III) right;

Gallienus was co-emperor with his father Valerian from 253, then ruled alone after his father's capture by Parthia in 260. Ruling during the Crisis of the Third Century that nearly caused the collapse of the empire, he repelled wave after wave of barbarian invaders, but he was unable to prevent the secession of important provinces. Gallienus presided over a late flowering of Roman culture, patronizing poets, artists, and philosophers. He was assassinated by his own soldiers in 268 while besieging Milan.

Like many of the dedications on Gallienus' coins, this coin's dedication to the fidelity of the army was a false hope. During the siege of Milan, at a late hour but while he was still lingering with pleasures of the table, a false alarm was given, that Aureolus, at the head of all his forces, had made a desperate sally from the town. Gallienus, who was never deficient in personal bravery, started from his silken couch, and without allowing himself time either to put on his armor, or to assemble his guards, he mounted on horseback, and rode full speed towards the supposed place of the attack. Ambushed by enemies from among his own force, amidst the nocturnal tumult, he received a mortal wound from an uncertain hand.

15 277

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