Gallienus               253 - 268

 

Gallienus, Valerian's son, became co-emperor shortly after Valerian himself ascended the throne. His greatest contribution to military history was the first commissioning of a cavalry-only unit which could be dispatched anywhere within the empire within short order. He was also successful in repelling wave after wave of barbarian invaders as well as finally defeating Postumus after a prolonged period which saw the two in battlefields on three different occasions.

Asides from these marks of merit, Gallienus was a cruel tyrant of an oddly mild disposition. Given to a life of luxury at a time when the empire was suffering endless bouts of attacks this procured the rebellion of many armies in the provinces. Ingenuus, Macrianus, Quietus, Balista, Domitianus of Gaul, Regallianus, Zenobia, Celsus, Odenathus, Trebellianus, Piso, the Gallic secessionists and possibly many more whose names are lost to history all usurped the throne only to have met crushing defeats by the forces of Gallienus. His luck finally ran out while besieging another usurper, Aureolus, at the hands of his own despairing soldiers.

 

Billon Antoninianus 253--268 A.D.

19 mm.

Obv. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG: Radiate and draped bust right

Rev. PIETAS AVGG: Valerian and Gallienus sacrificing over an altar

C. 792, Van Meter 211

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

22 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate head right

Rev. AEQVIT AVG: Aequitas standing left holding scales

C. 20a, Van Meter 8

AE silvered Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

20 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate and draped bust right

Rev. LIBERO P CONS AVG: Panther walking left (ca. 267-268 A.D.), invoking the protection of Liber against the revolt of Aureolus

C. 586, Van Meter 153

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

20 mm.

Obv. IMP GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate head right

Rev. DIANAE CONS AVG: Doe walking right, looking back

Sear 2950, Van Meter 49/1

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

20 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate head right

Rev. APOLLINI CONS AVG: Centaur walking right and drawing bow

C. 72, Van Meter 19/1

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

21 mm.

Obv. IMP GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate bust right

Rev. APOLLINI CONS AVG: Griffin walking left

Van Meter 19/5

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Rev. DIANAE CONS AVG: Antelope walking left

Van Meter 49/7

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Rev. DIANAE CONS AVG: Antelope walking left

Van Meter 49/7

AR Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

22 mm.

Obc. GALLIENVS PF AVG: Radiate and draped bust right

Rev. GERMANICVS MAX V : Trophy flanked by two captives

C. 308, Sear 2461, Van Meter 316

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

18-20 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate head right

Rev. SOLI CONS AVG: Pegasus prancing right (invokes the protection of Sol during the revolt of Aureolus

C. 979, RCV 2992, Van Meter 270

AE Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

19 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate bust right

Rev. NEPTVNO CONS AVG: Hippocamp right

Van Meter 178/2

AE silvered Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

22 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate and draped bust right

Rev. VBERITAS AVG: Uberitas standing left, E in right field

C. 1008, Van Meter 278

AR Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

22 mm.

Obv. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG: Radiate bust right

Rev. VIRTVS AVGG: Gallienus and Valerian standing, facing each other

C. 1310 (j), Van Meter 345

AR Antoninianus 260--268 A.D.

Siscia

20 mm.

Obv. GALLIENVS AVG: Radiate bust right

Rev. PROVI AVG: Providentia standing left and holding cornucopiae

C. 854, Van Meter 229