Macrianus Last Coin ------------------ Next Coin Claudius II

Roman Empire

Ruler: Quietus
Reigned: 260 - 261 AD
Denomination: AE23 of Nicaea, Bithynia
Mint: Nicaea
Date of Issue: 260-261 AD
Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, "TI ΦOVA IOV KVHTO[C CEB]"
Reverse: City walls of Nicaea; "[NIK]AIE[ΩN]" below.
Reference: BMC 160; GIC 4733; SNG von Aulock 7098; Price & Trell 293.
Weight: 6.9 gms
Diameter: 22.6 mm

QUIETUS (Fulvius Junius Quietus)

  • Macrianus the Elder, father of Quietus and Macrianus, was the Emperor 's quartermaster general to Valerian I during the latter's eastern wars.
  • After Valerian's capture by Shapur I of Persia in 260, Macrianus and another officer called Callistus, nicknamed "Ballista", organized what was left of the Roman army and struck back at the Persians.
  • Sailing down the coast of Cilicia, they disembarked and attacked the Persians, capturing the Persian army's baggage train and King Shapur's harem.
  • The delighted army decided to elevate the two generals to the throne, but instead, Macrianus and Ballista had Macrianus' two sons, Macrianus the Younger and Quietus made co-emperors.
  • In the Spring of 261, Macrianus the Elder and Macrianus the Younger led a large Roman army to depose Gallienus, Valerian's son and rightful heir, but were defeated in battle near Pannonia, and killed by Aureolus, general of Gallienus.
  • Quietus ruled in the East until he was attacked by Odenathus, King of Palmyra, when he fled to the city of Emesa in Syria.
  • The citizens of Emesa murdered Quietus and surrendered to the Roman troops under Odenathus in 261 after a short siege.

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