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Gratian
Description from CNG: Gratian. AD 367-383. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.48 g, 12h). Treveri (Trier) mint, 3rd officina. Struck mid AD 373-April 375. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Valens and Gratian enthroned facing, holding globe between them; Victory behind and above throne, with wings spread; palm frond set on ground between; TROBT. RIC IX 39d.3; Depeyrot 45/2; Biaggi –. Ex. CNG Auction 127, lot 133 (09/18/2024). Ex. Richard J. Sullivan Collection.
Flavius Gratianus, commonly known as Gratian, was a Roman emperor whose reign from 367 to 383 CE marked a critical period in the empire's transition from pagan traditions to Christian dominance. Born in 359 CE in Sirmium (modern-day Serbia), Gratian was the eldest son of Emperor Valentinian I. At the age of just eight, he was declared co-emperor with his father, beginning a reign that would highlight both his promise and his struggles.
Gratian ascended to sole power in the Western Roman Empire in 375 CE following the death of his father. Despite his youth, Gratian demonstrated an ambition to strengthen the empire and align it with his Christian faith. His reign was marked by military successes, such as the decisive defeat of Germanic tribes in Gaul, which earned him the loyalty of the Western provinces. However, the most significant aspects of his rule lay in his religious policies.
Gratian’s deep commitment to Christianity led him to take actions that diminished the traditional pagan institutions of Rome. In 382 CE, he famously ordered the removal of the Altar of Victory from the Senate House, a symbolic rejection of Rome’s pagan heritage. He also refused the title of Pontifex Maximus, traditionally held by emperors as chief priests of the Roman religion, further distancing himself from pagan practices. Gratian promoted Nicene Christianity and supported bishops like Ambrose of Milan while opposing rival Christian sects, particularly Arianism.
Despite his reforms, Gratian faced growing opposition from both pagan elites and dissatisfied military factions. In 383 CE, the general Magnus Maximus rebelled against him, forcing Gratian to flee. He was captured and executed at the age of 24, ending a reign characterized by both idealism and controversy.
Gratian’s brief rule reflects the challenges of navigating an empire in religious and cultural transformation. Though his policies were divisive, they marked a turning point in the Christianization of Rome.
Soldi of Gratian are readily obtainable so it is a matter of self-control to hold out for a special one. This coin is nearly ideal with only a hint of weakness and a tiny spot of encrustation on the reverse.