Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 106 9-10 May 2018
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Procopius, 365 – 366. Solidus, Constantinopolis 366, AV 4.47 g. D N PROCO – PIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. REPARATI – O FEL TEMP Procopius standing facing, head r., holding spear in r. hand and resting l. on shield. In exergue, CONS. C 5. RIC 2a. Depeyrot 14/4. Kent-Hirmer pl. 178, 699 (this coin).
Extremely rare. A very appealing portrait. An almost invisible graffito
on obverse, otherwise extremely fine
Ex NFA XXII, 1989, Moretti, 152; NAC 38, 2007, 269 and Triton XII, 2009, 785 sales.
In Procopius we have one of the more legitimate rebels in Roman history. When Julian II was killed in battle against the Persians in the summer of 363, it was Procopius, a relative of Julian II and one of his campaign commanders, who bore his body back to Cilicia for burial. Furthermore, it was rumoured that he had been named successor. Despite all this, the divided army did not recognize Procopius' claim and selected Jovian, who seems to have been neutral in the east-west divide within the ranks. Another reason Procopius might have been denied was his probable sympathy toward paganism, which we might presume from his close association with Julian and his choice to wear a beard. Because of his prominence, Procopius was in grave danger and so went into hiding, emerging only when the new eastern emperor Valens was travelling to Syria. Much was working in favour of Procopius: not only was Valens far away, but the locals in Constantinople were desperate for relief from Petronius, the corrupt father-in-law of Valens who had been left behind in command. Procopius' revolt was easily sparked, but proved impossible to maintain. The contemporary historian Ammianus reports that Procopius tried to extend his rule into the strategically important Illyricum through the offer of an 'accession donative', but apparently even this failed. With the passage of time Procopius' support in the army eroded until he left the capital with what remained of his army to confront Valens. The pitched battle Procopius no doubt considered his only chance for survival never materialized, as he was handed over to Valens after the 'battle of Nacolia' in the summer of 366 and was executed.
Extremely rare. A very appealing portrait. An almost invisible graffito
on obverse, otherwise extremely fine
Ex NFA XXII, 1989, Moretti, 152; NAC 38, 2007, 269 and Triton XII, 2009, 785 sales.
In Procopius we have one of the more legitimate rebels in Roman history. When Julian II was killed in battle against the Persians in the summer of 363, it was Procopius, a relative of Julian II and one of his campaign commanders, who bore his body back to Cilicia for burial. Furthermore, it was rumoured that he had been named successor. Despite all this, the divided army did not recognize Procopius' claim and selected Jovian, who seems to have been neutral in the east-west divide within the ranks. Another reason Procopius might have been denied was his probable sympathy toward paganism, which we might presume from his close association with Julian and his choice to wear a beard. Because of his prominence, Procopius was in grave danger and so went into hiding, emerging only when the new eastern emperor Valens was travelling to Syria. Much was working in favour of Procopius: not only was Valens far away, but the locals in Constantinople were desperate for relief from Petronius, the corrupt father-in-law of Valens who had been left behind in command. Procopius' revolt was easily sparked, but proved impossible to maintain. The contemporary historian Ammianus reports that Procopius tried to extend his rule into the strategically important Illyricum through the offer of an 'accession donative', but apparently even this failed. With the passage of time Procopius' support in the army eroded until he left the capital with what remained of his army to confront Valens. The pitched battle Procopius no doubt considered his only chance for survival never materialized, as he was handed over to Valens after the 'battle of Nacolia' in the summer of 366 and was executed.