tito_labieno
987. PRISCUS ATTALUS
Priscus Attalus, 409 – 410
Solidus 409-410, AV 4.45 g. PRISCVS ATTA – LVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. INVICTA RO – MA AETERNA Roma seated facing on throne, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; in field, R – M and in exergue, COMOB. C 3. Depeyrot 39/1. LRC 812. RIC 1404 (this coin cited). Extremely rare. Struck on a full flan and extremely fine / about extremely fine.
Ex Archer M. Huntington collection (HSA 22096)
The Roman world was at risk of extinction in 409 when Visigoths under king Alaric occupied Italy, captured Rome’s granaries and laid siege to the great, walled capital. Faced with eventual starvation, the senate cooperated by electing one of their own members, Priscus Attalus, as emperor in opposition to Honorius, whose court was based in Ravenna. Attalus, a senator of Ionian Greek extraction, was known to Alaric, for in the previous year he had been the Senate’s representative in negotiations with the king. Since he was a pagan, Attalus had to be baptized before he could be crowned.
In the following year, 410, Alaric led part of his army north to challenge Honorius in Ravenna, but his venture failed and the Vandal king returned to Rome. In June he deposed Attalus (who was pardoned by Honorius), and late in August he led his armies into Rome, sacking the great city for three days, August 24 through 26. Every portable item of value, including hostages such as Priscus Attalus and the emperors half-sister Galla Placidia, was taken.
Attalus remained a prisoner of the Visigoths until he was again hailed emperor against Honorius in 415 by Alaric’s successor Athaulf. His second reign was based in Gaul, not Rome, and it was equally brief. Attalus’ career as puppet emperor of the Goths ended in the spring of 416 when he was captured by Honorius’ soldiers and taken to Rome to be paraded through the streets. He was then banished to the Lipari islands where he lived out the rest of his days, having been relieved of his right thumb and forefinger in a symbolic gesture against any future revolt.
NUMISMATICA ARS CLASSICA NAC AG, Auction 67, lot 238.
987. PRISCUS ATTALUS
Priscus Attalus, 409 – 410
Solidus 409-410, AV 4.45 g. PRISCVS ATTA – LVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. INVICTA RO – MA AETERNA Roma seated facing on throne, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; in field, R – M and in exergue, COMOB. C 3. Depeyrot 39/1. LRC 812. RIC 1404 (this coin cited). Extremely rare. Struck on a full flan and extremely fine / about extremely fine.
Ex Archer M. Huntington collection (HSA 22096)
The Roman world was at risk of extinction in 409 when Visigoths under king Alaric occupied Italy, captured Rome’s granaries and laid siege to the great, walled capital. Faced with eventual starvation, the senate cooperated by electing one of their own members, Priscus Attalus, as emperor in opposition to Honorius, whose court was based in Ravenna. Attalus, a senator of Ionian Greek extraction, was known to Alaric, for in the previous year he had been the Senate’s representative in negotiations with the king. Since he was a pagan, Attalus had to be baptized before he could be crowned.
In the following year, 410, Alaric led part of his army north to challenge Honorius in Ravenna, but his venture failed and the Vandal king returned to Rome. In June he deposed Attalus (who was pardoned by Honorius), and late in August he led his armies into Rome, sacking the great city for three days, August 24 through 26. Every portable item of value, including hostages such as Priscus Attalus and the emperors half-sister Galla Placidia, was taken.
Attalus remained a prisoner of the Visigoths until he was again hailed emperor against Honorius in 415 by Alaric’s successor Athaulf. His second reign was based in Gaul, not Rome, and it was equally brief. Attalus’ career as puppet emperor of the Goths ended in the spring of 416 when he was captured by Honorius’ soldiers and taken to Rome to be paraded through the streets. He was then banished to the Lipari islands where he lived out the rest of his days, having been relieved of his right thumb and forefinger in a symbolic gesture against any future revolt.
NUMISMATICA ARS CLASSICA NAC AG, Auction 67, lot 238.