Detail of the base of the obelisk erected in Constantinople by Theodosius I. (Wikimedia Commons) NTIL modern times societies were women who have been influential behind Pulcheria (Greek: Πουλχερια , pro - Upatriarchal. The word means “father the scenes. While a man might have nounced Pool-keria) was the daughter ruler”. The father was the head of the thought he was in charge, there was a of the emperor Arcadius (383-408) family and the boss of everybody. Men woman who was pulling the strings and and the granddaughter of the emperor were in charge and women were confined controlling everything. Such a woman Theodo sius I (379-395). Theodosius I to household duties and raising children. was Pulcheria, the sister of the Roman (Figure 1) had been born in Spain and But throughout history there have been emperor Theodosius II (402-450 AD). was a suc cessful general in the Roman army before Gratian, the emperor of the western hal f of the empire, asked him to become the emperor of the east - ern half. Constantinople was the capital in the east and Rome in the west. ( Fig - ure 2 – map ) Following the conversion to Christian - ity of Constantine the Great (307-337) the number of Christians in the Roman Empire gradually increased, and Theo - dosius I was a Christian who was intol - erant of other religions. He outlawed the old Greek and Roman religion even if the ceremonies were conducted in private. Sacrificing in temples was banned and the temples were closed. Although these Figure 1 – Bronze coin of Theodosius I minted at Antioch in 393. Diameter 22 mms. Sear, Vol. 5, 20492. were harsh measures he felt that they were necessary to unify the empire, but he was never a persecutor of people as some of the earlier Roman emperors had been. Before he died Theodosius I decreed that his sons should succeed him. So Arcadius ( Figure 3 ) became the empero r of the east and Honorius ( Figure 4 ) the emperor of the west. Arcadius was eighteen when he became emperor and Honorius only ten, but even as adults they were incompetent. Julius Norwich in his book Byzantium, the Early Centuries described Arcadius: “Small, dark and swarthy, slow in speech and movement, with heavy-lidded eyes that always seemed about to close in sleep, he was in fact even stupider than he looked; and his character was as weak as his in tellect.” Sadly his wife, the beautiful Figure 2 – Map of Europe in the 5 th century. The eastern half of the Roman Empire is the shaded area. Eudoxia ( Figure 5 ), made fun of him in public, but somehow the empire managed brother’s reign she was the effective ruler Eudoxia, who subsequently married the to trundle along. of the empire. Actually this was not a western emperor Valentinian III ( Fig - Arcadius had one son, Theodosius II bad thing because she was an intelligent, ure 13 ). He was the son of Galla Placidia (Figures 6 and 7 ), and three daughters. capable woman, and Theodosius II was (Figure 14 ) whose adventurous life is Theodosius II was only seven years old quite happy to leave the affairs of state related in the February 2018 issue of when his father died, but fortunately to her. He was certainly not stupid. In CAB. his guardian, Anthemius, was a capable fact he was a cultured intellectual. He Coin collectors need to realize that the administrator. He ordered that great loved the art of copying and illustrating die-engravers responsible for producing walls be built to protect Constantinople, manuscripts ( Figures 10 and 11 ) and the images of these 5 th century emperors and these walls, known as the Theodosian people called him the calligrapher. Accor- and empresses were not interested in Walls ( Figure 8 ), kept the citizens safe ding to David Vagi, the author of Coin- their actual appearance. On the coins for a thousand years until the city was age and History of the Roman Empire , they all look the same. This is a different taken by Muslim invaders in 1453. “Theodosius was kind, generous, schol - The eldest child of Arcadius was Pul - arly and peaceful – indeed he possessed cheria ( Figure 9 ). She was two years all the wrong qualities to lead an empire older than her brother, and at age fifteen constantly under siege. He was a skilled she succeeded Anthemius as the power calligrapher, and applied this talent to behind the throne. For the rest of her his all-consuming passion of religion by patiently copying old manuscripts into the late hours of the night.” In keeping with his scholarly interests he founded the University of Constantinople in 425 and supervised the formation of the Theo- dosian Code, which was a compilation of all the laws issued after 312. It was published in 438. Pulcheria was quite different: she cer - tainly possessed all the right qualities to lead the empire. She had inherited her grandfather’s talents, but according to Norwich she was “excessively, extrav - agantly pious.” He wrote that the imper - ial palace “thronged from morning till night with priests and monks while the princesses, all three of whom had vowed themselves to perpetual virginity, stitched away at their altar-cloths and chasubles to the sound of hymns, psalmodies and muttered prayers.” Pulcheria’s influence was pervasive. When a beautiful and intelligent young woman called Athenais came to the Figure 5 – Bronze coin of Eudoxia, the wife of palace in connection with a legal matter Arcadius. Diameter 12 mms. The hand of God holds a wreath above her head. On the reverse Pulcheria decided that she would make Victory inscribes the Chi-Rho monogram of a suitable wife for her brother and she Christ on a shield. Sear Vol. 5, 20892. introduced her to him immediately. (Figure 12 ) Her name was changed to Eudocia, she was given a crash course in Figure 3 – Bronze coin of Arcadius minted at Antioch in 383. The hand of God holds a Christianity, and the couple were duly wreath above his head. Diameter 22 mms. married. At first the marriage was a Sear, Vol. 5, 20788. success and they had a daughter, Licinia
Figure 4 – Gold solidus minted for Honorius at Constantinople between 408 and 420. Diameter Figure 6 – 5 th century marble head of Theodo - 21 mms. On the reverse Constantinopolis sits on a throne with her right foot on a ship’s sius II in the Louvre. (Wikimedia Commons: prow. Sear, Vol. 5, 20902. photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen) situation from that in the first two cen - of Jerusalem gave her two sacred relics, sadly she fell out with her husband and turies of the Roman Empire when the the bones of St Stephen, the first Chris - sister-in-law. What actually happened is emperors and their wives were shown tian martyr, and the chain that held St unknown. Perhaps Pulcheria became as they really were, warts and all. The Peter by the wrists when he was impris - jealous of Eudocia whom Theodosius sus- chubby face of Nero is easily recognized oned by King Agrippa I. Peter’s miracu - pected of having an affair with a courtier. on his coins as is the big nose of Nerva, lous escape from the prison is recorded but by Pulcheria’s time it was simply the in Acts, chapter 12. Eudocia took them person’s status that mattered, not their back with her to Constantinople, but she individual appearance. It seems that the gave some of the chain to her daughter idea of the individual was subsumed Eudoxia, who immediately built a church into the spiritual ethos of the age. In in Rome to receive the precious gift. a world of officially sanctioned piety Another chain said to have tethered Peter hu mility not egotism was the norm. before his martyrdom in Rome was In 438 Eudocia went on pilgrimage to added, and today they can all be seen Jerusalem. It was a great success and in the church known as San Pietro in the people of Jerusalem called her the Vincoli (St Peter in Chains). ( Figure 15 ) new Helena, after Constantine’s mother When Eudocia returned to Constan - who had also visited the city. The bishop tinople her popularity was sky-high. Then
Figure 9 – Gold tremissis of Pulcheria minted at Figure 7 – Gold solidus of Theodosius II minted at Constantinople between 441 and 450. Diameter Constantinople between 414 and 453. Diam. 15 20 mms. Theodosius holds a spear and a shield on which a horseman spears a fallen enemy. mms.Sear, Vol. 5, 21256. There is also a solidus, Constantinopolis is on the reverse. Sear, Vol. 5, 21140. (Collection of St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane) semissis, siliqua and bronze centenionalis .
Figure 8 – The walls of Constantinople (modern Is tanbul) built during the reign of Theodosius II. (Wikimedia Commons: photo by Laima Gütmane) The situation became intolerable for During his reign a general council of the Eudocia and she moved to Jerusalem, church was called to determine a matter never to return to Constantinople. Her of great importance for Christianity. In MAKE YOUR FIRST story is related in the September 2013 451 AD bishops came from all over the issue of CAB. empire to the church of St Euphemia, a When Theodosius II died unexpectedly woman who had been terribly tortured CALL TO THESE in 450 it was a critical time for the em - and martyred during the Diocletian pire because there was no male heir, but persecutions at the beginning of the 4 th Pulcheria took charge of the situation. century. The church was in the city of SUPPORTING She chose an elderly soldier, Marcian Chalcedon, which was just across the (Figure 16 ), to be the emperor. To con - strait from the imperial palace in ADVERTISERS solidate his position Pulcheria married Constantinople. Although Chalcedon him. Needless to say, the marriage was in had issued coins from the 5 th century BC name only and there was no sex involved. (Figure 17 ) its mint ceased production (AND PLEASE TELL THEM... Pulcheria made a wise choice as Marcian in the reign of Gordian III (238-244). proved to be a sensible administrator. Continued overleaf YOU “SAW IT IN CAB”) ACC Art Books ...... 69 ANDA ...... 6 Bexley Stamp & Coin Accs. . . .11 Chris Rudd ...... 22 Classy Collectables ...... 61 Coin Trends ...... 33 Coinworks ...... 9, 39 Coins Australia ...... 3 Downies ...... 7 Drake Sterling Numismatics . .8, 68 D DATE Edlins of CaBnbeErr a U& YPass . . . .23 HeTritaOge A uctions ...... 13 IAG ...... 4, 45
Figure 10 – An illuminated medieval manuscript from the author’s collection. IBNS ...... 72 It was made in Paris in about 1250. I.S. Wright ...... 29 Jaggards ...... 55 Klaus Ford ...... 42-43 Liz’s List ...... 11 Melbourne Coin Co...... 8, 22 M.E.F. Books ...... 59 Noble Numismatics ...... 2 Phoenix Auctions WA ...... 17 Padstow Coin Centre ...... 68 Renniks Publications ...... 84 Romanorum ...... 61 Royal Australian Mint ...... 21 Roxburys Auction House ...... 83 SCDAA ...... 55 Sterling and Currency .46, 47, 55 Tony James Noteworld ...... 72 Mick Vort-Ronald ...... 26 Trevor Wilkin ...... 82 Ye Olde Coin Company ...... 36 Figure 11 – Detail of Figure 10. The L begins the Latin word liber (book). The Council of Chalcedon is considered arranged the Council of Chalcedon and to be second in significance only to the influenced its outcome? You guessed it: Council of Nicaea which was called by it was Pulcheria. According to Vagi, “She Constantine the Great in 325 to deter - was instrumental in both summoning mine the relationship between Jesus and implementing the canons of the ex - Christ and God. The Council of Chalcedon tremely important Fourth Ecumenical was called to consider Jesus himself and Council of the Church at Chalcedon in it decreed that he was one person with 451.” No wonder she is a saint in the two natures, human and divine. ( Figure Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. 18 ) The majority of Christian denomi - Pulcheria’s achievement makes one nations today accept the decrees of the wonder how influential Mary Magdalene councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon as the was, as a woman behind the scenes, in basic tenets of the Christian faith. This the initial stages of Christianity. ( Figure was a tremendous achievement, but who 19 ) It raises the question of the place of
Figure 13 – Bronze coin of Valentinian III minted at Rome between 430 and 437. Diame - Figure 12 – Gold solidus of Eudocia minted at Constantinople between 423 and 429. Diameter ter 13 mms. There are 2 turrets on the gateway 21 mms. The hand of God holds a wreath above her head. Sear Vol. 5, 21241. ( Collection of St and between them the letter Q stands for the John’s Cathedral, Brisbane) 4th factory. Sear, Vol. 5, 21327. NSSA 3rd Coin & Banknote Expo 17th & 18th November 2018 hosted by the Numismatic Society of SA. Torrens Parade Ground corner of Victoria Drive and King William Rd Adelaide (opposite Adelaide Oval) Saturday November 17th 10am-5pm Sunday November 18th 10am-4pm FREE entry • FREE parking raffle • auction • refreshments also available • wheelchair ac cess available • Local and Interstate dealers will be in attendance • Wide range of coins and banknotes on display • Dealers selling, buying and giving free valuations. Dealer tables available – phone 08 81653446 noon-7pm for detail s about dealer tables or show enquiries. women in the church. Paul Collins, the author of Absolute Power: How the pope became the most influential man in the world, which was published in 2018, quotes Pope Francis: “By virtue of their feminine genius, [female] theologians can detect, for the benefit of all, some unexplored aspects of the unfathomable mystery of Christ.” Collins goes on to say, “Given that women do up to 75 percent of the church’s pastoral work, their role as leaders and ordained ministers cannot be ignored.” Continued overleaf
Figure 14 – Bronze coin of Galla Placidia minted at Rome between 425 and 430. Diameter 9 mms. Sear, Vol. 5, 21359.
Figure 17 – Silver drachm of Chalcedon (Greek: ΚΑΛΧΕΔΟΝ ), 4 th century BC. Diameter Figure 15 – The chains of St Peter in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. 18 mms. A bull stands on an ear of corn. Sear, (Wikimedia Commons: photo by Testus) Greek Coins, 3738.
Figure 16 – Gold solidus of Marcian minted at Constantinople between 250 and 257. Diameter 20 mms. Sear, Vol. 5, 21379. (Collection of St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane) When Pulcheria died in 453 the people whoever held it in 453 would have of Constantinople were grief-stricken. felt very sad. How fortunate are coin She had been generous in life, and in collectors to be connected in such a her will she instructed that all of her tan gible way to the great events of the remaining wealth be distributed to past! the poor. Not only was she a theologian Note : Unless stated otherwise the coins illus - but she was a pastor as well. If you own a trated are from the author’s collection. coin of Pulcheria you can be sure that $ $ $
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Figure 18 – Painting of the Council of Chalcedon by Vasily Surikov, 1848-1916. ( Wikimedia Commons)
Figure 19 – “Appearance of Jesus to Maria Magdalena”, by Alexander Ivanov, 1835. (Wikimedia Commons)