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Home > Catalog > |Roman Coins| > |The Late Empire| > |Theodosius I| > RL20109 Theodosius I, 19 January 379 - 17 January 395 A.D.  In 390, the population of Thessalonica rioted against the presence of a Gothic garrison. In 390, the population of Thessalonica rioted against the presence of a Gothic garrison. The garrison commander was killed. In retaliation, Theodosius ordered the Goths to kill all the spectators in the circus. Theodoret, a witness, reports: "... the anger of the Emperor rose to the highest pitch, and he gratified his vindictive desire for vengeance by unsheathing the sword most unjustly and tyrannically against all, slaying the innocent and guilty alike. It is said seven thousand perished without any forms of law, and without even having judicial sentence passed upon them; but that, like ears of wheat in the time of harvest, they were alike cut down." Theodosius was excommunicated by the bishop of Milan, Saint Ambrose for the massacre. Ambrose told Theodosius to imitate David in his repentance as he had imitated him in guilt. Ambrose readmitted the emperor to the Eucharist only after several months of penance.RL20109. Bronze half centenionalis, RIC IX Thessalonica 62(b), LRBC II 1865, VF, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, weight 1.438g, maximum diameter 13.1mm, die axis 180o, fall 384 - Aug 388 A.D.; obverse D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse GLORIA REI-PVLICE, campgate with two towers, officina letter left, TES in exergue; scarce; SOLD  |