EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Arcadius AD 383-408, AE Nummus, NGC F

EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Arcadius AD 383-408 NGC F

AE Nummus LATE EMPIRE: THE DOMINATE

Arcadius AD 383-408 (Struck AD 383-388) Æ22 Maiorina / Virtus, Cyzicus

Obv: D N ARCADIVS P F AVGVSTVS, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev: VIRTVS EXERCITI, emperor standing right, holding standard and globe, left foot on captive; cross in left field; SMKΔ in exergue

Ref:  RIC IX Cyzicus 14c

Flavius Arcadius was the elder son of Emperor Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. Like many children of Roman Emperors, he was vain and weak, spoiled by growing up in luxury. Arcadius, who was eighteen, was easily manipulated by a conniving Roman officer called Rufinus, and by his daughter, Pulcheria, who was instrumental in legitimizing and promoting the cult of the Virgin Mary. Rufinus is believed to have invited the Goths to come out of their settlements on the Danube and invade Greece, where, being Arian Christians, they destroyed all the remaining statues and temples of the old pagans. Arcadius died in 408 in his palace at Constantinople.

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