Nomos AG
obolos 24 21 Aug 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Aelia Pulcheria, Augusta, 414-453. Tremissis (Gold, 14 mm, 1.47 g, 12 h), struck under Theodosius II, Constantinople, circa 430-440. AEL PVLCHERIA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Pulcheria to right. Rev. Cross within a wreath with ties at the bottom and a rosette at the top; below, CONOB*. Depeyrot 72/4. RIC 334. Well centered and lustrous. A couple of tiny scratches on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.
Pulcheria was the older sister of Theodosius II and was probably the most powerful and competent of all the Theodosian women. She more-or-less acted as regent or, at least, power-behind-the-throne, throughout her brother's reign. Supposedly out of piety, she and her sisters remained chaste throughout their lives (Pulcheria officially married Marcian to give him legitimacy as her brother's successor, but the marriage was never consummated), though they may have thought that if they did marry, their husbands, if they had any abilities at all, would have become rivals of their brother.
Pulcheria was the older sister of Theodosius II and was probably the most powerful and competent of all the Theodosian women. She more-or-less acted as regent or, at least, power-behind-the-throne, throughout her brother's reign. Supposedly out of piety, she and her sisters remained chaste throughout their lives (Pulcheria officially married Marcian to give him legitimacy as her brother's successor, but the marriage was never consummated), though they may have thought that if they did marry, their husbands, if they had any abilities at all, would have become rivals of their brother.