Johannes
Imperator Caesar Johannes Augustus
Johannes (John) was chief notary of the western court when Honorius died in 423 without an heir. The western establishment, unwilling to accept the eastern court's candidate, proclaimed Johannes emperor. He was never recognised by Theodosius II, who sent an eastern army to install the young Valentinian III. Johannes's general Aetius arrived too late with a Hunnic force to save him; Johannes was captured, mutilated, and publicly executed at Aquileia.
Johannes illustrates the western court's continuing capacity to assert independence from Constantinople. His reign is primarily significant as the context for the young Aetius's emergence; Aetius went to the Huns for help and would return to dominate the West for a generation. Coins of Johannes are scarce but appear in specialist late Roman sales.
Key Events
Coinage
The coinage of Johannes is rare, struck at Ravenna and Rome during his two-year reign. His types follow the standard late western formula. His portrait is that of a civilian functionary rather than a military man, clean-shaven with an administrative bearing. Solidi and siliquae are the surviving denominations.
Denominations
Notable Types
- VICTORIA ROMANORVM types
- SALVS REIPVBLICAE types
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Related Resources
Further Reading
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume X,
- Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume V,