Lot 72 - Numismatic Auction 8

Aelia Verina, 457-474. Wife of Leo I. Solidus 471-473, Constantinopolis. Obv. AEL VERI-NA AVG. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right. Rev. ... Read more
Starting price:
75.000,00 CHF

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description

Aelia Verina, 457-474. Wife of Leo I. Solidus 471-473, Constantinopolis. Obv. AEL VERI-NA AVG. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG - CONOB. Victoria standing left supporting cross, star in left field. RIC 632; Depeyrot 93/2. Gold. 4.43 g. Extremely rare, very attractive portrait.
UNC


Ex. Rauch auction 82, 23 April 2008, lot 658.

Ex. Ars Classica auction XI, 18-20 june 1925, lot 1083; Collection of Victor Adda and H. C. Levis; Leu auction 77, 11-12 may 2000, lot 766; NAC auction 56, 8 october 2010, lot 509.

Wife of Leo I and mother-in-law of Zeno, his successor in 474, Verina is the perfect example of a late empress who during nearly thirty years, influenced the imperial court with varying degrees of success. She was implicated in many plots, not hesitating to sacrifice her loved ones to gain access, retain, or regain power, when the latter escaped her. Tired of her never-ending plots, the emperor Zeno decided to banish her from Constantinople by exiling her to a monastery in Tarsus, in Cilicia, around 476. Despite her remoteness and her isolation, she was implicated in 483 in an “umpteenth” conspiracy aiming once again to overthrow Zeno, and this time to put Leontius in his place. This rebellion failing due to a lack of support, she found refuge in Isauria, in the fortress of Dalisandus, where she died in 484. Meanwhile, the Roman Empire of the West passed to the hands of Odovacar, King of the Herules, who had overthrown Romulus Augustulus in 476. Too preoccupied with preserving his power in Constantinople and instead of fighting him, Zeno preferred to grant Odovacar the title of Patrician in exchange for his allegiance. Officially, the unity of the Empire was re-established; in fact, it was no longer and would never be again...

Épouse de Léon Ier et belle-mère de Zénon, son successeur à partir de 474, Vérine est le parfait exemple d’impératrice tardive qui, durant près de trente années, influence avec plus ou moins de succès la cour impériale. Elle est de toutes les intrigues et n’hésite pas à sacrifier ses proches pour accéder, conserver ou reprendre le pouvoir quand ce dernier lui échappe. Las de ses complots incessants, l’empereur Zénon la bannit de Constantinople en l’exilant dans un monastère à Tarse, en Cilicie, vers 476. Malgré son éloignement et son isolement, elle est impliquée en 483 dans un énième complot visant une nouvelle fois à renverser Zénon et à mettre cette fois-ci à sa place Leontius. La rébellion ayant échoué, Vérine trouve refuge en Isaurie, dans la forteresse de Papirius, où elle décède en 484. Pendant ce temps, l’Empire romain d’Occident est passé aux mains du roi des Hérules, Odoacre, qui a renversé Romulus Augustule en 476. Trop préoccupé à se maintenir au pouvoir à Constantinople, Zénon préfère lui accorder le titre de patrice en échange de son allégeance. Officiellement, l’unité de l’Empire est de nouveau rétablie ; dans les faits, il n’est plus et ne sera plus jamais…

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Timetable

Pre-bidding - End
04 07 2017 17:00 CEST

Room auction - Start
05 07 2017 15:00 CEST