Crispus, as Caesar AD 316-326. Aquileia
Follis Æ

19 mm, 2,80 g

CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCIT, two captives seated back to back on either side of banner inscribed VOT X; S-F across fields, AQT in exergue.

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RIC 41.

Crispus, was a prominent figure in the Roman Empire during the early 4th century AD. He was the eldest son of the Emperor Constantine the Great, who is well-known for his role in legalizing Christianity and making it a favored religion within the empire. Crispus was born around AD 299, and he played a significant military role during his father's reign. He was a skilled and successful general, leading campaigns against barbarian tribes and proving himself to be a capable military leader. In AD 317, Constantine appointed Crispus as Caesar, which was a title given to a junior co- emperor or heir apparent. As Caesar, Crispus held a prominent position in the imperial hierarchy and was expected to succeed his father as the next emperor. However, despite his early successes, Crispus' fate took a tragic turn. In AD 326, he was executed under mysterious circumstances. The reasons behind his execution remain unclear, and historical sources provide different accounts, with some suggesting that he was the victim of political intrigue or false accusations. Crispus' execution was a shocking event, and its details have been the subject of historical debate and speculation. After his death, his image was gradually removed from various monuments and inscriptions, indicating a potential attempt to erase his memory. Constantine the Great went on to divide the Roman Empire among his three remaining sons, Constantine II, Constans, and Constantius II, who would later become the new emperors. The fate of Crispus remains a historical enigma, and much of what we know about him comes from fragmented accounts and historical interpretations.