Description: Johannes Usurper, AD 423-425. AE Nummus . Roman Empire. NGC VG.JoannesorJohn(Latin:Iohannes; died 425) was westernRoman emperorfrom 423 to 425.On the death of the EmperorHonorius(15 August 423),Theodosius II, the remaining ruler of theHouse of Theodosius, hesitated in announcing his uncle's death. In theinterregnum, Honorius'spatricianat the time of his death,Castinus, elevated Joannes as emperor.Joannes was aprimicerius notariorumor senior civil servant at the time of his elevation.Procopiuspraised him as "both gentle and well-endowed with sagacity and thoroughly capable of valorous deeds." Unlike the Theodosian emperors, he tolerated allChristiansects and even the pagans. From the beginning, his control over the empire was insecure. InGaul, hispraetorian prefectwas slain atArlesin an uprising of the soldiery there. AndBonifacius,comesof theDiocese of Africa, held back the grain fleet destined toRome. "The events of Johannes' reign are as shadowy as its origins," writes John Matthews, who then provides a list of the ruler's known actions in a single paragraph. Joannes was proclaimed at Rome and praetorian games were provided at the expense of a member of thegens Anicia. Johannes then moved his base of operations toRavenna, knowing full well that theEastern Empirewould strike from that direction. There is a mention of an expedition against Africa, but its fate, presumed unsuccessful, is unrecorded. In Gaul, he appears to have caused offense by submitting clerics to secular courts. And that is all. Joannes had hoped that he could come to an agreement with the Eastern Emperor, but whenTheodosius IIelevated the youngValentinian IIItocaesar(undoubtedly influenced by Valentinian's motherGalla Placidia), he knew he could only expect war. Late in 424, he gave to one of his younger and most promising followers,Atius, an important mission. Atius, Governor of the Palace at the time, was sent to theHuns, with whom he had lived as a hostage earlier, to seek military help. While Atius was away, the army of the Eastern Empire leftThessalonicaforItaly, and soon camped inAquileia. Although the primary sources state that Ravenna fell to their assault John of Antiochstates that ashepherdled the army ofAsparsafely through the marshes that protected the city Stewart Oost believes that Aspar's father,Ardaburius, who had been captured by Joannes' soldiers, convinced the garrison of Ravenna to betray the city. The fallen emperor was brought to Aquileia where firsthis hand was cut off, then he was paraded on adonkeyin theHippodrometo the insults of the populace. After further insults and injuries, Joannes was finally decapitated in mid 425. His death is sometimes dated to May or June, probably on the basis two laws in theCodex Theodosianusissued by Theodosius II on 5 May 425. Three days after Joannes's death, Atius returned at the head of a substantial Hunnic army. After some skirmishing, Placidia,regentto her son, and Atius came to an agreement that established the political landscape of theWestern Roman Empirefor the next thirty years. The Huns were paid off and sent home, while Aetius received the position ofmagister militum(commander-in-chiefof theRoman army). The historianAdrian Goldsworthywrites that "it took a hard-fought campaign by strong elements of theEast Romanarmy and navy, in addition to a fair dose of betrayal," to defeat Joannes.
Price: 329.99 USD
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-08-28T01:51:56.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Era: Ancient
Historical Period: Roman: Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
Denomination: N/A
Year: N/A
Ruler: Johannes
Certification: NGC
