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Marcus Aurelius RIC III, 338
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AR - Denar, 3.25g, 18.8mm
Rome, Dec. 175 - Dec. 176
obv. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM
head laureate, r.
rev. TRP XXX IMP VIII COS III PP
Pile of arms
in ex: DE GERM
RIC III, 338
Scarce; VF(?)
added to www.wildwinds.com
Early in 169, the Marcomanni and Quadi crossed the Danube, penetrated the intervening provinces, and entered Italy. The culmination of their onslaught was a siege of Aquileia. The effect upon the inhabitants of the peninsula was frightful. This was the first invasion of Italy since the late second century B.C., when the Cimbri and Teutones had been separately crushed by Marius.
After a rapid mobilization of forces MARCUS AURELIUS turned north and began his counterattacks against the barbarians. First and foremost, the enemy had to be driven out of Italy and then into their own territory beyond the Danube. But it was a time-consuming and expensive operation. 23 Nov. 176 he held the triumph over Germans and Sarmati. Raetia and Noricum became Roman provinces.
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