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Roman Empire

Ruler: Tacitus
Reigned: 275 - 276 AD
Denomination: Base silver Antoninianus/Aurelianus
Mint: Cyzicus
Date of Issue: January - June 276
Obverse: Bust right, radiate, cuirassed and draped with paludamentum. "IMP C.M. CL. TACITVS AVG."
Reverse: Mars in military dress standing. right, holding spear in left hand, giving globe to Emperor standing left, holding long sceptre in left hand.. "CLEMENTIA TEMP."
Mint marks:
 
P
Reference: RIC V.1 126 (incorrect mint), New RIC temp. no. #4019
Weight: 3.5 gms
Diameter: 22.1 mm

TACITUS (M. Claudius Tacitus)

  • When Aurelian was murdered in September 275, the soldiers who were with him, unusually, wrote to the senate in Rome, asking it to nominate one of its own members as emperor. This they did, electing their leading member, the elderly Marcus Claudius Tacitus.
  • His claim to be related to the famous historian Tacitus, was untrue.
  • Early in 276 he joined the army in Thrace, probably the same that Aurelian had assembled for a Persian offensive.
  • He advanced into Asia Minor claiming a victory over the Heruli in the spring of 276, and winning the title of 'Gothicus Maximus'
  • In July 276 he was murdered at Tyana in Cappadocia (southern Turkey), while preparing to return to Europe, after a reign of only six months.

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R20150