Roman Empire: Gallienus, AD 253-268 BI Double-Denarius NGC Ancients

GALLIENUS (253-268) In the spring of A.D. 260, the Roman Emperor Valerian was taken prisoner by the Persian “King of Kings.” This humiliating capture, unprecedented in the long annals of Rome, ended Valerian’s reign, leaving his overmatched son Gallienus on the throne, and a power vacuum from Syria to Britain. Unwilling to bow to the youthful Augustus, armies in the more remote corners of the realm instead elevated their local generals to imperial status. During the ensuing eight years, the hapless new emperor sought to defend the Empire from these so-called Thirty Tyrants and could only watch as the mighty Empire began to fracture. The Historia Augusta gives account of the Thirty Tyrants— pretenders to the throne during the chaotic reign of Gallienus. This number included Postumus, who ruled the breakaway Gallic Empire; Zenobia, queen of the Palmyrene Empire in what is today Syria; and two dozen lesser generals. CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is a genuine ancient Roman coin. The obverse is a portrait of the Emperor. The various reverses feature mythological and military themes. I have inspected this coin & guarantee its authenticity.