Table Of ContentCOINAGE a n d
HISTORY of the
ROMAN EMPIRE
C O I N A GE A ND
HISTORY OF T HE
R O M AN EMPIRE
C. 82 B.C. - A.D. 480
VOLUME I: HISTORY
DAVID L. VAGI
First published 2000 by FITZROY DEARBORN
This edition published 2015 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
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,
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group an informa business
Copyright © 1999 by David L. Vagi
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole
or in part in any form.
British Library and Library of Congress Cataloging'^publication data available
ISBN: 978-1-138-99907-7 (vol 1) (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-57958-316-3 (set) (hbk)
Permission to use illustrations was granted by the following companies:
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.; Leu Numismatik; Numismatic Fine Arts, Inc.;
Numismatica Ars Classica; Sotheby’s (New York and London); Miinzen
und Medaillen; Italo Vecchi, Ltd.; and Superior Galleries.
And by the following individuals: Rick Witschonke, David Hendin and the author.
Certain numismatic numbering systems are referenced by kind permission
of British Museum Publications, Bibliotheque nationale de France, Cambridge
University Press, The Danish National Museum, Dumbarton Oaks Research
Library and Collection, David Hendin, and Spink and Son, Ltd.
Permission to reference the catalog numbering system in this book is freely
granted by David L. Vagi and requires no prior written permission, providing the
user identifies the catalog numbers by proceeding them with the name Vagi, and
that the user also cites the title and author of this book in that same work.
The Mint map was substantially modified from an original reproduced with
the kind permission of Andromeda Oxford Ltd © 1999.
Analysis and pricing information are based on historical information and market
conditions. No information in this book should be construed as predictive.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. This work is
for reference purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to
buy or sell any pieces described herein.
Book design, typography and pre^press by Studio 31, Inc.
Dedicated in Living Memory
to
ESTHER IVANKA
I9I5-I996
This pagei ntentionallyl eft blank
Table of C ontents
Acknowledgements and Credits ix
Sources xiii
Foreword by Robert W. Hoge xv
Author’s Preface xvii
How to Use this Book xix
HISTORY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: BIOGRAPHIES
CHAPTER I:
Collapse of the Republic (Imperatorial Period), c. 82-27 b.c.
23
CHAPTER 2:
The JuliO'Claudians, 27 b.c. - a.d. 68
91
CHAPTER 3:
The Civil War of a.d. 68-69
175
CHAPTER 4:
The Flavians, a.d. 69-96
203
CHAPTER 5:
The A doptive Emperors and The A ntonines, a.d. 96-192
225
chapter 6:
Civil War and the Severan-Emesan Dynasty, a.d. 193-235
255
CHAPTER 7:
Crisis and Decline, a.d. 235-268
311
CHAPTER 8:
Recovery of Empire, a.d. 268-285
361
CHAPTER 9:
The Separatist Empires
385
CHAPTER IO:
The Tetrarchy, c. a.d. 284-313
409
CHAPTER 11:
The Constantinian Era, c. a.d. 313-364
457
A Brief Introduction to the Divided Empire
527
CHAPTER 12:
The Western Roman Empire, a.d. 364-480
533
CHAPTER 13:
The Eastern Roman Empire, a.d. 364-491
583
Bibliography 617
Index 625
A cknowledgments and C redits
Were it practical to do so, this section would be as long as the book itself.
After all, knowledge does not materialize from thin air. Thanks must first
be given to the historians of antiquity, whose writings provide the basis of
our knowledge, and to those who produced the coins which are the focus
of this work. Every word in this book has a source, however remote, and
even those portions which may come under the heading of ‘original
thought’ are hardly original, for such ideas can only be developed in the
context of existing knowledge. Now, to acknowledge some specific debts.
Contributions: Of the many people who contributed to this book, there
are five to whom I am most deeply indebted. Foremost are Robert Hoge
and Jim Wasserman, both of whom suffered with me since the start of this
project. My mentor Robert Hoge, curator at the American Numismatic
Association, reviewed every page of the text with selfless dedication. He
searched for errors — large and small, conceptual and technical — and
offered invaluable advice and encouragement. His considerable talents as a
numismatist, historian, literary stylist and grammarian (in both English
and Latin) were put to full use. The book’s designer, James Wasserman,
took on the project as if it were a personal jihad, not just another job. His
eye for composition and his attention to detail have made this book appear
magnificent even when its contents fall short. His dedication far exceeded
any normal expectations, and all who find the book pleasant to the eye
owe a hearty thanks to Jim. I am also deeply indebted to three other of my
colleagues — Alan Walker, Curtis Clay and Victor England — each of
whom made important contributions. Though their impacts cannot be
fully appreciated without comparing the final product to early drafts which
they reviewed, the reader may rest assured that without their help this
would have been a significantly flawed work.
Thanks are also due to those who contributed in their areas of specialty:
Rick Witschonke (the Imperatorial period), Matthew Kreuzer (the Julio^
Claudians; and especially in helping advance the idea of Livilla on cokv
age), Kerry Wetterstrom (Roman Egypt), Lawrence Adams (Kingdom of
the Bosporus) and Richard Me Alee and Michel Prieur (Roman Antioch).
I am also indebted to Herb Kreindler and Dennis Kroh, both of whom
reviewed extensive portions of the book. For their help in a variety of mat'
ters I would like to thank Lawrence Adams, Marty Armstrong, James
Beach, Simon Bendall, John Bergman, Harlan and Aaron Berk, Mike
Bezayiff, Lucien Birkler, Jan Blamberg, Eldert Bontekoe, John Burnham,
IX
