Arcadius
383-408 AD
Flavius Arcadius, the eldest son of Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. He was born in 377 AD and was raised to the rank of Augustus by his father in 383 AD. His first true encounter with power came when his father marched against Arbogastes in 394 AD.
Theodosius died in 395 AD and the Empire was divided between his two sons, Arcadius taking the Eastern division, and Honorius the Western. The imperial brothers had inherited none of their father’s great abilities, and in consequence both were constantly under the influence of the strong personalities at court among their ministers.
The real power on the throne arrived in 399 AD – Alelia Eudoxia, Arcadius’s wife. It was Eudoxia who ruled from the throne with and iron fist. Anyone who dared to confront her found himself stripped of all rank, privileges and usually exiled.
When Eudoxia died in 404 AD, Arcadius turned to his Praetorian Prefect, Anthemius. This may have been one of the wisest moves the Emperor made because Anthemius proved to be genuinely concerned about preserving the Empire. When Arcadius finally died in 408 AD, Anthemius ensured a peaceful transition of the throne to Arcadius’ 7 year old son – Theodosius II.
Monetary System
Mints: Alexandria, Antioch, Arelate, Aquileia, Constantinople, Cyzicus, Heraclea, Lugdunum, Milan, Rome, Siscia, Sirmium, Thessalonica, Treveri
Obverse Legends:
D N ARCADIVS P F AVG
DENOMINATIONS
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AU Semissis (2.25 grams)
AU 1.5 Scripulum (1.65 grams)
AU Tremissis (1.45 grams)
AR 3 Miliarense (13.50 grams)
AR Miliarense (4.50 grams)
AR Reduced Siliqua (2.25 grams)
AR 1/2 Siliqua (1.12 grams)
AE2
AE3
AE4
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