Mar. Silbannacus is a mysterious figure believed to have been an usurper in the Roman Empire during the time of Philip the Arab (244-249), or between the fall of Aemilianus and the rise to power of Valerian. Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the so-called crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Marcus Iulius Philippus (about 204 - 249), known in English as Philip the Arab after the origin of his family, was a Roman emperor from 244 to 249. ... February 11 - Emperor Gordian III is killed by his Praetorian Prefect Philip the Arab after Phillip replaces Timesitheus and then declares himself co-emperor. ... Events Trajan Decius becomes Roman emperor. ... For the book see 253 (book). ... Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the so-called crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Marcus Iulius Philippus (about 204 - 249), known in English as Philip the Arab after the origin of his family, was a Roman emperor from 244 to 249. ... February 11 - Emperor Gordian III is killed by his Praetorian Prefect Philip the Arab after Phillip replaces Timesitheus and then declares himself co-emperor. ... Events Trajan Decius becomes Roman emperor. ... Aemilianus celebrating peace-maker Mars god of war. ... Valerian on a coin celebrating goddess Fortuna, associated with health and wealth. ...

Silbannacus had been known only from a single coin, an antoninianus reputedly found in Lorraine, and is now at the British Museum. This coin has an obverse with the portraint of the usurper and the legend IMP MAR SILBANNACVS AVG, the reverse shows Mercury holding a Victoria and a caduceus, with VICTORIA AVG as legend. Row 1: Elagabalus (silver 218-222AD), Trajan Decius (silver 249-251AD), Gallienus (billon 253-268AD Asian mint) Row 2: Gallienus (copper 253-268AD), Aurelian (silvered 270-275AD), barbarous radiate (copper), barbarous radiate (copper) The antoninianus was a coin used during the Roman Empire that was valued at 2 denarii. ... Lorraine coat of arms location of the Lorraine province Lorraine (French: Lorraine; German: Lothringen) is a historical area in present-day northeast France. ... The centre of the museum was redeveloped in 2000 to become the Great Court, with a tessellated glass roof by Buro Happold and Foster and Partners surrounding the original Reading Room. ... A sculpture of the Roman god Mercury by 17th-century Flemish artist Artus Quellinus. ... Victoria on the reverse of this coin by Constantine II. In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. ... The Caduceus Two caduceuses without wings as decoration of door portal in Ztracená street in Olomouc (Czech Republic). ...

The name Silbannacus shows a Celtic origin, the "-acus" suffix; given the location of the coin, Silbannacus could have been a military commander in Germania Superior. It is possible ee probably revolted against Philip, with his revolt ending under Emperor Decius, since Eutropius (ix.4) reports of a bellum civile suppressed in Gaul during this emperor rule. Celts redirects here. ... Categories: Historical stubs | Ancient Roman provinces | German history | Germany | History of the Germanic peoples ... Bust of Traianus Decius. ... Eutropius was a pagan Roman historian of the later 4th century, writing in Latin, whose brief remarks about himself let us know that he had served under Emperor Julian the Apostate (ruled 361 - 363) and his history covers the reigns of Valentinian and Valens (died 378). ...

A second antoninianus has been published in 1996, bearing the shortened legend MARTI PROPVGT. According to the style, the coin was coined in Rome; since the shortened legend is present on Aemilianus coins, in 253, Silbannacus might have prevailed here during the march of Valerian on Rome. An interpretation of this facts leads to Silbannacus being an officer who was left in garrison in Rome while his emperor, Aemilianus, left to face his rival Valerian. After the defeat and the death of Aemilianus in September 253, Silbannacus would have tried to become emperor with the support of the troops confined in Rome, thus controlling the monetary workshop, before being quickly eliminated by Valerian and Gallienus.^[1] Aemilianus celebrating peace-maker Mars god of war. ... For the book see 253 (book). ... Valerian on a coin celebrating goddess Fortuna, associated with health and wealth. ...

References

External links

• Picture and description of the first coin of Silbannacus, at Dirty Old Coins