Carus AD 282-283. Ticinum
Antoninianus Æ

22 mm, 4,01 g

IMP CARVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right / PAX EXERCITI/ PXXI, Pax standing front, head to left, holding olive branch in her right hand and standard in her left.

Very Fine

RIC 75.

Marcus Aurelius Carus, born around AD 223 in Narbo Martius, ascended to the Roman imperial throne in AD 282, reigning until his death in 283 in Mesopotamia. Despite the brevity of his rule, AD Carus left a notable mark on Roman history, particularly through his military campaigns and successes. Rising from a military background, Carus's reign saw limited literary documentation, primarily sourced from late antique compilations and biographies. He gained imperial power after troops in Rhaetia and Noricum proclaimed him emperor following the assassination of Emperor Probus in AD 282. Carus's military achievements included victorious campaigns against the Sarmatian Jazyges and an offensive against the Sassanid Empire. He captured Ctesiphon, the Persian capital, in AD 283, assuming the title Persicus Maximus. However, Carus's reign was cut short when he died under mysterious circumstances, possibly due to illness or assassination, in late July AD 283. He was succeeded by his sons Carinus and Numerianus, who jointly continued his legacy.