Numerian
Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Numerianus Augustus
Marcus Aurelius Numerianus, the younger and reportedly more scholarly son of Carus, accompanied his father on the Persian campaign. After Carus's mysterious death, Numerian led the army on the long march back from Persia. He was found dead in his litter in 284 AD; the army noticed a smell from his closed carriage. His father-in-law, the Praetorian Prefect Aper, had concealed the death for weeks. Diocletian, commander of the guard, accused Aper publicly and killed him on the spot, then was acclaimed emperor by the army.
Numerian's death, and the theatrical manner in which Diocletian used it to seize power, is one of the most dramatic moments in late Roman history. His coins document the last months of the Crisis era before the Tetrarchic reform began. The story of his concealed death and Diocletian's public accusation of Aper is retold in virtually every account of the period.
Key Events
Coinage
The coinage of Numerian broadly parallels that of Carinus, with joint types forming the most frequently encountered issues. As he was in the East for his entire reign, the eastern mints (Cyzicus, Antioch, Serdica) were particularly active under his name. His portrait, where distinguishable from Carinus, tends to show slightly more youthful features.
Denominations
Notable Types
- AETERNIT IMPER (joint types with Carinus)
- CLEMENTIA TEMP types
- VIRTVS AVGG types
- PIETAS AVGG types
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Related Resources
Further Reading
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume V, Part II,
- Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume III,