SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Gordian III.(238 - 244). Tetradrachm.

Obv : AYTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CEB.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Rev : ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC.
Eagle standing facing, head left, wreath in beak.
Prieur 282.

Condition : The coin is in good condition, with most details of the portrait and eagle remaining intact. The patina has a light greyish tone with some encrustation visible in certain areas, indicating its age. Minor surface wear is present, but overall the details are well-preserved.Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 12.51 gr
Diameter : 27 mm

The inscription "ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC" (Dēmarchexousias) on coins of Gordian III refers to his position as holding the "Tribunicia Potestas" or the tribunician power, which was an important aspect of the emperor’s authority in Roman political and legal structure. In the case of Gordian III, this title not only marked his authority but also connected him to the deep-rooted traditions of Roman Republican governance.

The tribunician power gave the emperor certain legal rights, including the authority to convene the Senate, propose legislation, and veto actions of other magistrates. It also made the emperor the defender of the common people, as the office of the tribune was historically associated with protecting the rights of plebeians against patrician magistrates. For emperors, holding the tribunician power was both a legal and symbolic tool to show their power and legitimacy.

Gordian III, who ruled from 238 to 244 AD, came to power during a tumultuous time in the Roman Empire known as the "Crisis of the Third Century." His reign, while relatively short, was marked by attempts to restore stability to the empire and deal with external threats, most notably the Sasanian Empire in the East under Shapur I.

Coins such as this one were minted to reinforce the image of Gordian III as a capable and legitimate ruler. The title "ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC" served as an official reminder of his constitutional powers, which emphasized his role as the ultimate arbiter of the Roman state, even as a young emperor. Gordian III ascended the throne as a teenager, and much of his reign saw control exercised by advisors and military leaders. Still, coins that bore the inscription referencing his tribunician power helped solidify his position as emperor in the eyes of the Roman populace.

The coin also symbolizes the continuation of a long-standing tradition in Roman imperial coinage, where references to tribunician powers were a common way for emperors to assert their role as protectors of the people and maintainers of justice. Gordian III's coins, including those with the "ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC" inscription, circulated throughout the empire, reaching distant provinces and frontiers, thus reminding both the army and the citizens of the emperor’s political and legal authority.

The reverse side of many of these coins often featured imagery that further solidified the emperor’s legitimacy or depicted scenes of military victory, peace, or divine favor. For Gordian III, whose reign was marked by military campaigns, particularly his confrontations with the Sasanian Empire, these coins might have been intended to reassure the public of Roman strength and imperial continuity.

Furthermore, the issuance of coins like this with inscriptions in Greek reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Eastern provinces. Greek was widely spoken in the Eastern Mediterranean, and by using Greek on his coins, Gordian III ensured that his message of legitimacy and authority was understood across the Hellenized parts of the empire, which were economically significant and culturally influential regions.

In the context of Gordian III’s reign, the inscription also highlights the emperor's connection to the traditional offices of power, even during a period of immense political instability. The emperor was often seen as a central figure who could restore order, and coins played a crucial role in projecting that image across the empire. Gordian III's struggles against the Persian Empire under Shapur I and the eventual outcome of his campaign underscore the challenges he faced in maintaining this image of power, as his reign ended with his death during the military campaign in 244 AD.

Coins bearing inscriptions like "ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC" are important historical artifacts that help us understand how Roman emperors, including Gordian III, used coinage to communicate their authority, legitimacy, and connection to the traditions of Roman governance. Through such inscriptions, the emperor reinforced his role as the protector of Roman order, law, and the people, even as external and internal crises threatened the empire’s stability. In Gordian III’s case, these coins serve as a reminder of his efforts to assert his authority during a turbulent time in Roman history.