2015-12-08 Tue

The Byzantine Empire thrived between 491 CE and 1453 CE. As with all patriarchal societies, elite women of the Byzantine Empire were expected to bear children, sew, weave, and generally be confined to their homes. A few imperial women, however, rose to power and issued coins in their own name, either by themselves or with partners. Aelia Ariadne Aelia Ariadne was the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor, Leo, and his wife, Verina. She played a crucial role in the transition of Late Roman to Byzantine rule. Gold coins were struck in her name whose dates of issue are uncertain. These coins are known to be extremely rare. Zoe and Theodora Theodora, mother of Michael III, and Zoe were daughters of the Byzantine Emperor, Constantine VIII, who had no male heir. Zoe married Romanos, who ascended the throne after Constantine’s death. Romanos was murdered after 1034 CE after which, Zoe immediately married her boyfriend who was crowned Michael IV the next day. He died in 1041 CE due to epilepsy. Zoe adopted his nephew and raised him to the throne as Michael V. Michael V attempted to banish Zoe which led to a revolt of Constantinople’s population. In an unusual and unheard of move, Zoe and Theodora were raised to the throne as co-empresses while Michael V was arrested, blinded, castrated, and banished. The sisters ruled for a mere seven weeks during which one of the rarest and most desired Byzantine coins were struck. The obverse depicted the Virgin Mary with her hands raised in prayer while the reverse depicted figures of the empresses, crowned and robed, standing side by side, holding a labarum between them. Less than 20 genuine specimens are known today, most of which are housed in museums. Coins of this type have appeared four times in recent auctions with a top price of US $190,000 in September 2015. Continued in Part II...