Theophilus (AD 829-842), with Michael II, and Constantine. AV solidus (20mm, 4.43 gm, 6h). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5, bent, brushed. Constantinople, AD 830/1-840. *ΘЄOFI-LOS bASILЄ' Θ, bust of Theophilus facing, with short beard, wearing chlamys and crown surmounted by cross, patriarchal cross in right hand, akakia in left / + mIXAHL S COnStAntIh', facing busts of deceased father Michael II (on left), with short beard, and deceased son Constantine (on right), beardless, each wearing chlamys and crown surmounted by cross; cross in field above. Sear 1653. Ex Forvm Ancient Coins, private sale with old dealer's tag included. Theophilus was the last and most radical iconoclast to rule the Byzantine Empire. He was known to brand his own iconoclastic poetry on the foreheads of monks who defied his religious policies and continued to use icons as a part of their worship. Interestingly, his wife Theodora was a secret iconodule. Throughout their marriage, she kept her views secret for her own safety. The empress would often send their children to live with their grandmothers, both of them also secret iconodules, where they were privately taught the veneration of sacred icons. The ever-determined and strong-willed Theophilus remained oblivious to it all. As soon as Theophilus died, Theodora became ruler of the empire as regent for their two-year old son Michael III. The following year, Theodora convoked a group of clerics and officials who restored the veneration of icons. Iconoclasm would never again be official imperial policy and all but ceased to exist in Eastern Christianity (the next major somewhat iconoclastic movement within Christianity would be Protestantism). This important event is celebrated in Eastern churches on the first Sunday of Lent as the Feast of Orthodoxy. Theodora governed the empire quite effectively for fourteen years until Michael came of age. Many historians argue that the tide of the conflict between the Byzantines and Arabs began to turn in the former's favor under the steady guidance of Theodora. She was later canonized by the Orthodox church for her contributions in reinstating icon veneration. Theophilus' radical iconoclasm was most unpopular in the West, where the doctrine had never enjoyed even the slightest support. Thus, he was disliked by the citizens of the Byzantine possessions in Italy, including Syracuse, where this coin was minted. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website