Lucius Julius Aurelius Septimius Vaballathus Athenodorus was king of the Palmyrene Empire centered at Palmyra, Syria, who came to power as a child, ruling with his regent, his mother Queen Zenobia.
Initially the Roman Emperor Aurelian recognized Vaballathus' rule, and early coins issued by Zenobia under Vaballathus's name, also acknowledge Aurelian as emperor.
Zenobia, however, soon declared an open rebellion and conquered most the the eastern provinces. The recently independent Palmyra lasted for three years, until the Romans took action, and conquered all Palmyrene land. After losing the Siege of Palmyra, Zenobia and Vabalathus were taken as hostages to Aurelian in Rome.
Their fates remain unknown.
Initially the Roman Emperor Aurelian recognized Vaballathus' rule, and early coins issued by Zenobia under Vaballathus's name, also acknowledge Aurelian as emperor.
Zenobia, however, soon declared an open rebellion and conquered most the the eastern provinces. The recently independent Palmyra lasted for three years, until the Romans took action, and conquered all Palmyrene land. After losing the Siege of Palmyra, Zenobia and Vabalathus were taken as hostages to Aurelian in Rome.
Their fates remain unknown.
(1)
Aurelian
|
Vabalathus
An
AE
Antoninianus
struck 271-272 AD
in
Antioch
Obverse: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate & cuir. bust of Aurelian right,, H under bust.
Reverse: VABALATHVS VCRIM DR, Laur., dr. and cuir. bust of Vabalathus right.
Diameter:
-
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC V.1 381
(2)
Vabalathus
|
Aurelian
An
AE
Antoninianus
struck 271-272
in
Antioch
Obverse: Vabalathus "VABALATHVS VCRIM DR"
Reverse: Aurelian "IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG" S on bottom
Diameter:
0 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 381. Cohen 1; Sear 11718
(3)
Vabalathus
|
Aurelian
An
AE
Antoninianus
struck 270-272 AD
in
Antioch
Obverse: laureate, draped bust of Vabalathus right from behind; VABALATHVS V C R IM D R
Reverse: radiate, cuirassed bust right; IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / A
Diameter:
22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.55 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.55 g
Antioch Issue 1, XI 270 – III 272 AD
scarce
RIC V-1, 381 Antioch http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/3102