Valerian I AD 253-260. Antioch
Billon Antoninianus

20 mm, 4,05 g

IMP C [P LIC VAL]ERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / [AE]QVITAS AV[GG], Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.

Good Very Fine

RIC 209.

Publius Licinius Valerianus, commonly known as Valerian, was the Roman Emperor from 253 to 260. During his reign, he focused on stabilizing the empire's borders while initiating a persecution of Christians. His co-emperor was his son Gallienus, who took sole control after Valerian's capture by the Sasanian Persians in 260. Valerian's early life details are scarce. Born in the 190s, he likely came from a respected senatorial family. In 238, he played a role in recognizing Gordian I as emperor. In 253, he faced a pivotal moment when the Roman Empire was in crisis. The Germanic threat on the Rhine and Danube, coupled with the emergence of the Sasanian Empire in the east, created challenges. Valerian's crucial year was 253. He quelled a revolt in the east and faced the Gothic raids in the northwest. As emperor, he undertook campaigns against the Persians, aiming to secure the eastern provinces. However, his fortunes turned after the disastrous Battle of Edessa in 260, where he was captured by the Persians, marking an unprecedented event in Roman history. His capture severely weakened Roman defenses, leading to political shifts in both the west and east. Valerian died in captivity, with conflicting accounts suggesting he was skinned and his skin dyed and displayed as a warning. The events surrounding Valerian's reign are complex, and historical sources, including the unreliable Historia Augusta, provide varied perspectives. Valerian's Christian persecution, the challenges faced during his reign, and his ultimate capture are key aspects of his historical legacy.