Sponsianus
Sponsianus is believed to have been a Roman usurper, who attempted to seize the throne during the 240s, likely during the rule of Philip the Arab. The sole evidence for his existence is a single aureus of dubious quality. In further study in 2022, a group of researchers suggested he was in fact a lost Roman emperor.[1]
Evidence
The sole evidence found for his existence was from a single aureus, found in 1713 in Transylvania, bearing the inscription of Sponsianus. It was among coins bearing the inscription of Philip the Arab and Gordian III. The numismatist Henry Cohen believed them to be "very poor quality modern forgeries".[1] However, according to the ancient numismatist Wayne Sayles, as the usurpers and emperors of the time were often ephemeral, the lack of coins should not be seen as evidence that Sponsianus did not actually exist.[2] The problems with the aureus are twofold: firstly, the obverse (face) side of the coin is "barbaric and strange" according to the findings of the Roman Imperial Coinage, and the reverse (tail) side of the coin appears to be a copy of a Republican denarius struck in 135 BC.[3]
However, after further study in 2022, scientists said that scratch marks on the coin, visible under a microscope, proved that it was in circulation about 2,000 years ago.[1] Professor Paul Pearson of University College London, led the research and said that he was astonished by the confirmation of the use of the coin. The Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University, where the coin had been kept locked away in a cupboard, also held three other coins from the original hoard.[4] Jesper Ericsson said a chemical analysis also showed that the coins had been buried in soil for hundreds of years.[1]
History
If legitimate, based upon the location of the aureus, it would place Sponsianus' ruling period sometime in the 240s.[5] It is believed that this would have taken place entirely within the rule of Philip the Arab (244–249 AD).[6] Based upon the location of his aureus, he is believed to have staged his revolt in Pannonia.[7]
The coins were part of the bequest of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, a Habsburg Governor of Transylvania.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Gold coin proves 'fake' Roman emperor was real". BBC News. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ Sayles 2007, p. 121.
- ^ Vagi 2000, p. 331.
- ^ Pearson, Paul N.; Botticelli, Michela; Ericsson, Jesper; Olender, Jacek; Spruženiece, Liene (2022-11-23). "Authenticating coins of the 'Roman emperor' Sponsian". PLOS ONE. 17 (11): e0274285. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0274285. ISSN 1932-6203. PMID 36417346.
- ^ Hartmann 1982, p. 121.
- ^ Mennen 2011, p. A1.
- ^ Goldsworthy 2009, p. 427.
Sources
- Goldsworthy, Adrian (2009). How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300155600.
- Hartmann, Felix (1982). Herrscherwechsel und Reichskrise : Untersuchungen zu den Ursachen und Konsequenzen der Herrscherwechsel im Imperium Romanum der Soldatenkaiserzeit (3. Jahrhundert n. Chr.). P. Lang. ISBN 978-3820461954.
- Mennen, Inge (2011). Power and Status in the Roman Empire, AD 193–284. Brill. ISBN 9789004203594.
- Sayles, Wayne G. (2007). Ancient Coin Collecting III: The Roman World. KP. ISBN 9780896894785.
- Vagi, David L. (2000). Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, c. 82 B.C.- A.D. 480. Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 9781579583163.
External links
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