Vabalathus AD 270-272 Bronze Antoninianus Antioch

Vabalathus AD 270-272 Bronze Antoninianus

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right / Radiate bust of Aurelian right

Antioch

RCV11718; 21mm, 3.54g

Comes with previous labels

Vabalathus was King of Palmyra between AD 267 and AD 272. Following the capture of the Emperor Valerian by the Sasanid ruler Shapur in AD 260 there was a partial collapse in Roman rule in much of the Eastern empire. Odaenathus came to prominence as a lieutenant to the Emperor Gallienus in the region. After he checked the advance of the Sasanid ruler Shapur he also eliminated the usurper Quietus after besieging him in the city of Emesa. For these achievements he was awarded the title Orientis, or ‘administrator of the whole east’. He became the effective ruler until he was assassinated in AD 267. His widow Zenobia became the effective ruler of the Palmyrene state together with her son Vabalathus. The Romans refused to recognise Vabalathus and relations between the 2 sates became very strained. When Aurelian became emperor he was initially unable to confront Vabalathus so instead he recognised him instead creating him joint ruler of Palmyra. As a result coinage was issued depicting the heads of both rulers.
Aurelian wished to reunite the empire and by AD 272 felt strong enough to confront Vabalathusfelt strong enough to confront Vabalathus. Aurelian led an army east where he inflicted a series of defeats on his rival before capturing him together with his mother Zenobia. Both were transported back to Rome in order to adorn Aurelian’s triumph. The fate of Vabalathus is unknown however his mother was pardoned and retired to a villa near Tibur.