Abstract
Civil war is much documented by text, but far too little by archaeology. The later Roman world was one often afflicted by civil conflict and power struggles between rival emperors, generals and troops, and these all appear to have had serious impacts on communities, regions, economies and frontiers. In what ways though can archaeology offer a guide or additional insight into these many conflicts? Or are these wars intangible materially, despite their destructive human impact? This paper broadly considers the types of materials and evidence—from walls to coins—that might reveal something of the 3rd to 5th c. wars that damaged the Roman West in particular, and argues that much more weight needs to be placed on these internal traumas.
Highlights
His name, that is Antoninus, was erased by order of the Senate, since he had held it under usurpation, wishing to appear to be the son of Antoninus
In what ways though can archaeology offer a guide or additional insight into these many conflicts? Or are these wars intangible materially, despite their destructive human impact? This paper broadly considers the types of materials and evidence—from walls to coins—that might reveal something of the 3rd- to 5th-c. wars that damaged the Roman West in particular, and argues that much more weight needs to be placed on these internal traumas
Carroll (2001) 138, noting traces of destructions by raids, points out how “The possibility that signs of violence in the third and fourth centuries could have been the result of Roman armies engaged in civil wars, is rarely considered” —e.g. feuding emperors inviting in German groups such as the Iuthungi and Alamanni, as seems to have occurred between Postumus and Gallienus
Summary
That is Antoninus, was erased by order of the Senate (that of Varius Heliogabalus remained), since he had held it under usurpation, wishing to appear to be the son of Antoninus. Money can act as a guide to later Roman civil conflict on a variety of levels: (i) first in terms of inflation, counterfeiting, weakened metal content and size as indications of internal politico-military and economic upheavals preventing production and circulation of and access to standard types; (ii) hoarding to signify either threat and panic and lost wealth, with the possible death/murder/flight of the owners reflected in the failure to recover the money, metal and other items, or hoards to signify avoidance—e.g. of tax-collectors, of looters (military or civilian), or of ties to failed usurpers and emperors, where the coin issues might implicate the owner; (iii) imagery and legends on coins to guide us on names of potential usurpers, some unknown to extant written sources, and on the propaganda of victory, appeals to gods, to unity, to harmony, etc.; (iv) savings and hoards to indicate owners and their allegiance or conflict with the State or with figures of power; and (v) coins as bribes/tribute to enemies and allies, and as donatives to supporters and soldiers For the latter, the reinterpretation of the early 4th-c. His over-riding intention is to highlight religious hatred and exactions against an enemy, and a recurrent theme is Christian acts against pagan cult images in the Late Roman period, which he examines to
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
