Owner Comments:
Following the classic pattern of a “Barracks Emperor,” Probus (232-282 AD) joined the Roman military while very young, and by his strength, skill, and swagger became an accomplished military leader. He fought under Emperors Valerian, Aurelian, and then Tacitus. When the latter died in 276 AD, Probus’ troops decided it was his turn to take the Throne. However, Tacitus’ half brother, Florian, was also proclaimed Emperor by his own troops. The rivals clashed to settle things; once it was clear that the battle was going the more-experienced Probus’ way, Florian’s troops decided to hasten the inevitable, and assassinated their leader.
Avoiding civil war was fortunate, since the Empire needed to preserve its fighting strength. For the next half dozen years, Probus defended against external invasions as he travelled across his vast Empire from Syria in the far east to Gaul in the West, and back and forth across the same wide extent again. The list of Probus' defeated enemies – most of whom boasted superior numbers – was prodigious, including the Alemanni, Burgundians, Franks, Goths, and Vandals. Besides barbarians, Probus also defeated his fair share of usurpers such as Saturninus at Syria and Bonosus and Proculus at Cologne. For his Aurelianic efforts, Probus awarded himself the title of "restorer of the world and the army."
Beyond military conquests, Probus also realized his vast armies could also be employed for civil projects. The Augustus famously used his soldiers’ down time to complete the Roman walls initiated by Aurelian, plant vineyards, and conduct building repairs in dozens of cities across the Empire that had been reduced to ruins. In Egypt, Probus engaged his troops in large-scale reconstruction of dikes, canals, and bridges along the Nile; such ambitious projects had not been attempted since the reign of Augustus. Also erected or repaired were many roads, bridges and temples, facilitating trade, communications and worship.
Probus also supported religion closer to home. He was an avid worshipper of Sol Invictus, following in the footsteps of Aurelian, who elevated the Sun God as Rome’s official deity in 270 AD. Probus’ devotion is evidenced by this aurelianianus, struck a decade later in Cyzicus, Anatolia. Probus is depicted in ornate fashion, with imperial mantle, holding an eagle-tipped scepter, and, of course, wearing his sun crown. The theme continues on the verso, wherein the radiate-crowned god rides a quadriga (a four-horse chariot), coming straight at the viewer. No doubt, the image was meant to be imposing and invite comparisons between the invincible sun god and the Augustus himself.
Although an effective and formidable commander, Probus proved vincible. In 282 AD, Probus departed eastward once again, with the intent to conquer Persia, as previously planned by Aurelian, before the latter's murder. Along the way, Probus learned of yet another, more series usurper, namely his Praetorian Prefect, Marcus Aurelius Carus. Before the insurrection could be quelled, Probus was murdered by his own men, who took umbrage at enduring yet another far-flung battle, or even worse, construction project.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Probus, 276-282 AD, BI Aurelianianus (3.74 g), 280 AD, Third Emission, Cyzicus mint, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, eagle-tipped scepter in right hand, IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Reverse: Sol in quadriga facing, SOLI INVICTO, CM and XXI(V?) in exergue, Reference: RIC V, Part II, 911.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens.