the head: but young Gordian being produced in his purple robes, at once assuaged the fury of both parties. Pupienus, in the mean time, had advanced as far as Ravenna, where he received the head of his dreaded enemy, which he forthwith dispatched to Rome, with the usual formalities. No sooner were the laurelled spears and letters perceived, than the greatest joy prevailed; the people testified their transports by all sorts of rejoicings, and Balbinus, who used to tremble at the very name of Maximinus, offered the unusual sacrifice of a whole hecatomb to the gods, for so happy a delivery from the savage Thracian. Peace being thus unexpectedly established, the two Emperors governed with such prudence and moderation, that a golden age succeeded the iron one, and the Senate and People loudly boasted the superior wisdom of their choice, over that usually made by the Army. This taunt, together with the bitter invectives daily uttered against Maximinus, whom the soldiers had raised to the Empire, deeply irritated the licentious Prætorians, who scowled with an evil eye upon sovereigns in whose election they had no share, and considered the general acclamations as so many sarcasms on their own conduct. They therefore seized an opportunity, during the absence of the guards and domestics at the Capitoline games, of rushing into the palace, and securing the two Emperors. On dragging their prisoners forth, they ignominiously stripped them, tore their purple robes to shreds, and then hurried them towards the camp; but hearing that the German followers of Pupienus were advancing to rescue the princes, they instantly killed them both, and left their mangled bodies in the street. This inhuman deed would have been attended with dreadful consequences, if the murderers had not appeased the incensed populace, by declaring it was done with no other view than to secure the empire to young Gordian.

So calamitous a termination of a happy reign, was the more to be lamented, inasmuch as it proved that with all their great qualities, the two Princes were not free from petty jealousy-the one priding himself on birth and fortune, and the other on talent and resolution-sed discordia tacitæ, et quæ intelligerentur potius, quàm viderentur." When Pupienus heard of the arrival of the Prætorians, he proposed calling in his faithful German soldiers, but was opposed by Balbinus, who fatally suspected the whole to be a scheme of his colleague to overpower him, and obtain the supreme power. This unhappy delusion prevented their uniting in any vigorous measure of defence, and occasioned a warm dispute, during which the mutineers gained time to break into the palace, and accomplish the destruction of two sovereigns, who deserved a better fate.

Balbinus was murdered in the 60th months, and he was deeply regretted.

year of his age, after a reign of about three Possessed of immense wealth he had lived

with corresponding splendour and his portly person afforded evidence that he was addicted to pleasure: "Epicuri de grege porcum." But at the same time he was universally beloved on account of his integrity, humanity, and affability. He was esteemed an excellent orator, a good poet, a ready improvisatore, an upright magistrate, an able politician, and a pious man. And his clemency was the more valuable when he had attained the sovereign power, because it moderated the rigour of his colleague.

The medals of this Emperor, whether Latin, Greek, or Egyptian, are all rare and of a high price-the denarii and sestertii being the most common: nor are any Colonial nor small-brass known. Though the arts were now on the decline, the moneyers still possessed the power of executing accurate likenesses, for a comparison of the heads of Balbinus and Pupienus, throughout all the metals and sizes, affords internal evidence of the fidelity of their resemblance.

CCCCXXVIII.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Decimus Cælius Balbinus, Augustus.) The laureated head of Balbinus, with close hair and beard, very full face, intelligent features, and a large throat; the bust is broad and in armour. This medal is in secondary condition, and somewhat rubbed; it is tinged with a brownish-red patina; and was purchased at Genoa, in 1818.

Reverse. FIDES PVBLIC. (Fides Publica.) In the field S. C. Two right hands joined, the symbol of faith and loyalty, as Virgil's "accipe daque fidem" expresses; and the caduceus, held by them is a type of the peace and prosperity arising from such confidence. See Nos. CXII, CCCLV. Besides this device, denarii of Balbinus were inscribed with Amor mutuus, Caritas mutua, Concordia Augg. Fides mutua, Patres Senatus, and Pietas Mutua, all denoting the happy agreement between the two Emperors, by the well-known emblem of the joined right hands. Statius says:

"Jam pariter coëant animorum in pignora Dextræ.”
CCCCXXIX.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Decimus Cælius Balbinus, Augustus.) The laurelled profile of the Emperor, with a face still more full than on the above, and a "regular-built " double-chin: but the countenance is interesting from its expressive eye, and handsome nose and forehead. This fine medal is in the best preservation, the metal being barely discoloured; it was one of the hoard found at Malta. See No. CCCXCV. Reverse. CONCORDIA AVGG. (Concordia Augustorum.) On the exergum S. C. A sedent robed female, with a double cornucopiæ and a patera, as on No. CCCCVI.; a device also struck in token of the mutual love which subsisted between the two Emperors. This harmony was well maintained in respect to every thing that tended to the welfare of the state, and the benefit of the public; for their jealousies of each other were so carefully concealed as to be only suspected.

CCCCXXX.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Decimus Cælius Balbinus, Augustus.) A laureated profile of Balbinus, with characteristics as before-mentioned. This rare medal, which I purchased in 1817, from an Arab at Beni-Welid, an inland town of Tripoli, is in capital condition, and covered with an olive-green patina.

Reverse. LIBERALITAS AVGVSTORVM. On the exergum S. C. Three togated figures on curule chairs upon a suggestum, inspecting a donation to the citizens; they are assisted

by a military officer, and before them is a statue of Liberality with a frumentarian tablet, and a cornucopiæ. This represents the congiary which was given when the army marched against Maximinus, an act to conciliate the people, known only by the medals of this reign. The sitters are Balbinus, Pupienus, and young Gordian, who, from the centre one being the smallest, was probably placed in the seat of honour, in order to court popularity; and on a coin of Pupienus, the youth appears with a radiated head, though only a Cæsar.

CCCCXXXI.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Decimus Cælius Balbinus, Augustus.) The laureated head of Balbinus, with a full yet expressive face, short hair and beard, thick neck, and the bust covered with a sagum over a cuirass. This medal, in excellent condition, and varnished with brown patina, was purchased on the 28th day of Mr. M. Trattle's sale, in 1832.

Reverse. VICTORIA AVGG. (Victoria Augustorum.) In the field S. C. A standing figure of Victory, with a diadem and long robes, holding a laurel-wreath in her right hand, and in the left a palm-branch-whence the " Palmaris Dea" of Apuleius. This was struck on the fall of Maximinus; for though Balbinus had not quitted Rome, the Senate eulogized him on the success of his colleague's army-a compliment, however, which did not prevent him from feeling somewhat ruffled, at the profuse honours which the Fathers, in the fulness of their joy, conferred upon Pupienus:

"Invidia Siculi non invenire tyranni
Majus tormentum."
CCCCXXXII.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Decimus Cælius Balbinus, Augustus.) The laurelled profile of the Emperor, with full cheeks, double chin, broad throat, and expression as above. This fine medal, cased in black patina and in remarkable preservation, was procured at Orbitello, in 1823.

Reverse. P. M.TR. P. COS. II. P. P. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate, Consul iterum, Pater Patriæ.) In the field S. C. The Emperor, attired as a Senator, displays an olivebranch with his right hand, and grasps a truncheon in his left-a device probably struck when the death of Maximinus promised a stable peace. It had been usual when there were two emperors, that the elder alone should be styled Pontifex Maximus, but Balbinus and Pupienus wisely broke through this custom, and each assumed that title.

The extraordinary merit of these Augusti acquired them the honourable epithet of Patres Senatus-a title which had been procured by Vipsanius for Claudius, but that emperor declined it. Afterwards the Senate, dreading the vengeance of Commodus, on the failure of Lucilla's conspiracy, styled him Pater Senatus, through fear-and a large-brass medal attests the fact. But it was not a popular designatiou till it was assumed by Balbinus and Pupienus, men of whom the historian says-" Omnesque omnia bona dicerent, lætareturque Populus, et gloriaretur Patritiis, Imperioque dignis Principibus."

PUPIENUS.

Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus, the son of Maximus, a mechanic, and Prima, a woman of low birth, was born A. D. 164. But though his parentage was

* Capitolinus is absolutely "taken aback" by this Prince's being called Pupienus by the Latin, and Maximus by the Greek historians; and after considerable hesitation, arrives at the conclusion to which a reference to the Greek medals would immediately have brought him: "nisi forte idem est Pupienus, qui et Maximus ; quod ideo testatum posui, ne quis me hoc nescisse crederet, quod revera magnum stuporem, ac miraculum creat." Had Pupienus been the name used by our English historians, the memory would have been spared the perplexity arising from Maximus's having to encounter Maximinus and Maximus.

mean, his personal merit was extraordinary; for, entering the army, without a friend to assist him, he successively became a Centurion, Tribune, Præfect of a legion, Senator, Governor of a province, and Prætor of Rome. He rose to the Consulship A. D. 227, and on the fall of the Gordians, was elevated to the Purple, with Balbinus, A. D. 238. He was immediately charged with the conduct of the war against Maximinus, and appears to have taken every precaution which experience could suggest. Care was taken to remove all the provisions into the adjacent walled towns, and the country was laid waste along the expected line of his march, that the tyrant and his forces might be distressed by famine. The consequence was the assassination of Maximinus, and his son, before Aquileia,—and so great was the joy of the Romans at this happy result, that while Pupienus still remained in that city, the Senate sent a deputation to him, consisting of twenty of their body, who had all been Consuls, Prætors, or Quæstors,-and among other high honours, decreed him an equestrian statue of pure gold. Soon after his return to Rome, he shared the deplorable fate of his colleague, and was barbarously murdered by the Prætorians in the 74th year of his age; after a reign of little more than three months.*

Pupienus was of so grave an aspect and deportment, that he was called Tristis: but though feared for his strictness, he was easily entreated. As a man, he was virtuous and temperate; as a soldier, prudent, and brave; as a statesman he was diligent, firm, and "straight-forward ;" and as a sovereign, just, moderate, and wise. His disposition to severity, never amounting to inhumanity, was tempered by the affability of Balbinus; and the excellent qualities of the two Emperors fully justified the choice of the Senate. Their mutual confidence and agreement were of vital service to the Commonwealth; and their vigorous efforts to induce integrity into the different branches of the administration, promised to secure an equitable govern. ment to the Roman world. Pupienus, however, had his misgivings: "What reward," demanded he, "may we expect for delivering Rome from such a monster?" To which Balbinus replied-" The love of the Senate, of the people, and of all mankind." "Alas!" rejoined his more deeply-thinking colleague, "Alas! I dread the hatred of the soldiers, and the fatal effects of their resentment.'

The medals of this Emperor, though of similar types with those of Balbinus, are thought to be rather more rare. Besides the Latin mintage, there are Greek-Imperial and Egyptian coins-but no Colonial ones, nor small-brass.†

This duration is not given without due inquiry. Historians usually assign these good Emperors a reign of fourteen or fifteen months; but it is impossible to read the able and erudite descant of Eckhel-" De annis et trib. potestate Maximini, ut et de terminis imperti Gordianorum, Balbini, et Pupieni,”—without adopting his conclusions.

↑ A coin has been fabricated, and even admitted into cabinets, which purports to have been struck in honour of Quintia Crispilla, the wife of Pupienus. That described by Menestrier represents a handsome female head with the hair gracefully

CCCCXXXIII.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. CLOD. PVPIENVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Marcus Clodius Pupienus, Augustus.) A laurelled head of the Emperor, with aged but good features, a long beard carefully trimmed, and a bold forehead; the whole expression bearing out the description-" Domi, forisque semper severus, ità ut et Tristis cognomen acceperit, vultu gravissimus, et verecundus, staturâ procera, &c." This medal in the highest preservation, and only stained over a part of its surface by a green patina, was one of the hoard found at Malta. See No. CCCXCV.

Reverse. CONCORDIA AVGG. (Concordia Augustorum.) On the exergum S. C. A sedent female, magnificently attired, with a double cornucopia and a patera, as on No. CCCCXXIX, and struck with the same object, that of testifying the unanimity of the two Emperors: "Ambo und, et quidem benè imperarunt."

CCCCXXXIV.

Obverse, IMP. CAES. M. CLOD. PVPIENVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Marcus Clodius Pupienus, Augustus.) The laureated head of Pupienus, with the same character as before, and the bust covered with a sagum over armour. This medal, cased with dark-brown patina and in very fine condition, was purchased at Mr. Trattle's sale, in 1832.

Reverse. LIBERALITAS AVGVSTORVM. On the exergum S. C. The two Emperors, and the Cæsar, seated on curule chairs, upon a suggestum, superintending a donative. On the right side stands a Prætorian, and on the left the figure of Liberality, with a cornucopiæ, and the tessera, or ticket, on which was stamped the amount of money, or corn, that constituted the donation. On the steps is a citizen holding up the folds of his robe. This liberality, unnoticed by historians, is probably that described under No. CCCCXXX.

CCCCXXXV.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. CLOD. PVPIENVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Marcus Clodius Pupienus, Augustus.) A laurelled profile of Pupienus, with a grave aspect; in other respects as above. This medal, in high condition and slightly patinated, was one of those found at Malta, as described under No. CCCXCV.

Reverse. PROVIDENTIA DEORVM. In the field S. C. A stolated female stands with a cornucopiæ in her left hand, and holds, in her right, a sceptre over a globe. This device was struck by the Senate, as a record that they were directed by the Gods, in their election of Balbinus and Pupienus; and as an evidence of their gratitude :-" Egressi à Senatú primùm Capitolium ascenderunt, ac rem divinam fecerunt." See No. CCCCXXIV.

CCCCXXXVI.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. CLOD. PVPIENVS AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Marcus Clodius Pupienus, Augustus.) The head of Pupienus, with a laurel-wreath over very short hair, and his beard dressed with singular care in small curls. The countenance is expressive of seriousness" gravitate, ac severitate venerabilis." This fine medal is in surprising preservation, and curiously patinated-the obverse being green and the reverse reddish-brown; it was purchased at Mr. Henderson's sale, in 1830.

Reverse. VICTORIA AVGG. (Victoria Augustorum.) In the field S. C. Victoria alata stands with a palm-branch in her left hand, and holds out a laurel crown with her right. This was struck on the delivery of Rome, from the horrible threats of Maximinus. The express who brought the joyful tidings of the monster's death, arrived in only four days from Aquilea, having

dressed, but in the style of a better age, and it is inscribed QVINT. CRISPILLA CLAVD. PVP. MAX. On the reverse is a temple of four columns, with VEN. CAL. (Veneri Calve) across the pediment, and under it the letters Q. V. P. R. S. E. (Quod votum pro Republica solutum est.) In front of the temple sits a female with a bald head, in commemoration of the women of Aquileia, who cut off their hair for the use of the soldiers, when that place was besieged by Maximinus.