Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Pupienus Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 238. IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae; SC in exergue. RIC 20; BMC 43. 24.00g, 31mm, 1h.
Near Extremely Fine. Beautiful, untouched surfaces.
Pupienus was born around AD 164 into humble origins. He is remembered mainly for the brevity of his rule, a mere three months, but he in fact had an impressive military and political record behind him. He worked his way up the cursus honorum and held the consulship in 217 and 234. He was governor of both Germania and Asia during his career, as well as the city prefect of Rome.
Much of Pupienus's energy was put towards the effort against Maximinus following the deaths of the two Gordians. His high political standing had meant he was placed among 20 senators appointed to defend Italy against Maximinus. Out of this group, he and Balbinus were selected as successors to the purple in AD 238. Pupienus was 72 years old. Although the concept of co-emperors was not new, what was revolutionary was the fact that both men were entirely equal, for example in the way they were both Pontifex Maximus. However, Pupienus's harsh style of ruling meant he was unpopular with the people. The demands from the public of putting another Gordian on the throne were sated by making the young Gordian III Caesar.
In spite of this, the anger of the Praetorian Guard against the turmoil of the imperial court only increased as the cracks between Pupienus and Balbinus became more apparent. The Praetorian Guard eventually stormed the imperial palace, and stripped, paraded, and finally tortured to death the two emperors. They had ruled for 99 days.
Near Extremely Fine. Beautiful, untouched surfaces.
Pupienus was born around AD 164 into humble origins. He is remembered mainly for the brevity of his rule, a mere three months, but he in fact had an impressive military and political record behind him. He worked his way up the cursus honorum and held the consulship in 217 and 234. He was governor of both Germania and Asia during his career, as well as the city prefect of Rome.
Much of Pupienus's energy was put towards the effort against Maximinus following the deaths of the two Gordians. His high political standing had meant he was placed among 20 senators appointed to defend Italy against Maximinus. Out of this group, he and Balbinus were selected as successors to the purple in AD 238. Pupienus was 72 years old. Although the concept of co-emperors was not new, what was revolutionary was the fact that both men were entirely equal, for example in the way they were both Pontifex Maximus. However, Pupienus's harsh style of ruling meant he was unpopular with the people. The demands from the public of putting another Gordian on the throne were sated by making the young Gordian III Caesar.
In spite of this, the anger of the Praetorian Guard against the turmoil of the imperial court only increased as the cracks between Pupienus and Balbinus became more apparent. The Praetorian Guard eventually stormed the imperial palace, and stripped, paraded, and finally tortured to death the two emperors. They had ruled for 99 days.