2020-01-01 Wed

1st January is a day of the year 417 when Emperor Honorius forces Galla Placidia into marriage to Constantius, his famous general.

Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his eight-year-old son Honorius co-emperor on 23rd January 393. Honorius ruled the Western Roman Empire from 395 to 423. He was the younger son of emperor Theodosius I and his wife Aelia Flaccilla. When Theodosius died, in January 395, his sons Honorius and Arcadius divided the Empire. Arcadius inherited the Eastern province of the Roman Empire and rule here from 395 until his death in 408. Honorius became the Western Roman Emperor at the age of ten. Following this Roman Empire divided into East and West halves and never reunited again.

Constantius III began his career in the Roman army, becomes a Magister Militum (Master of the soldiers) under Emperor Honorius. Constantius helped to restrain the revolt of Constantine III a Roman general who declared himself emperor. His capability allows him to gain huge influence over the Western Roman Empire. For this reason, Honorius bestowed many honors upon him. In 417 he married the emperor’s half-sister Aelia Galla Placidia.

During the reign, Honorius issued gold and silver coinage minted with his portrait. Represent here is a gold Solidus issued from Ravenna mint. The obverse of a coin depicts Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. The reverse of a coin showed Honorius standing right, holding the standard in right hand and Victory on globe in the left hand, left foot on seated bound captive.

Image Courtesy: wikimedia.org