Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 93 24 May 2016
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
THE OSTROGOTHS
Theia, 552-553
Pseudo-Imperial Coinage. In the name of Anastasius, 491-518. Half siliqua, Ticinum 552, AR 1.23 g. DN ANAST – SIVS AV Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. DN / THEL / A REX; all within wreath. BMC Vandals 9-10. Kraus 15. MIB 68 c. MEC I, –. Metlich 74 c.
Very rare. Old cabinet tone and about extremely fine
Ex NAC Autumn 95 sale, 1995, 748.
After the death of Baduila, Theia was the last king of the Ostrogoths. He soon tried to defend his territories from the Franks. He lost against Narses during the battle of Mons Lactarius, near Vesuvius. With the defeat, his kingdom collapsed and the entire peninsula returned under Byzantine control. The Ostrogoths sought the aid of the Alemanni and Franks but were completely defeated at Capua in 554. During these wars, the so-called Gothic Wars, the whole of Italy was completely devastated. Very large numbers of people were killed and displaced, cities destroyed and lands were emptied of inhabitants. All the political structures were damaged and a full recovery took hundreds of years.