Julian II, 360-363. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.50 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, 361-363. FL CL IVLIA-NVS P P AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Julian II with long beard to right. Rev. VIRTVS EXERCI-TVS ROMANORVM / (branch)CONSP(branch) Roman soldier advancing right, head to left, holding trophy over his left shoulder and dragging bound captive with his right hand; in field between soldier and captive, pellet. Depeyrot 8/1. RIC 157. Fresh and attractive, with a beautiful portrait. Very minor die wear and a few tiny marks, and with a small flan fault on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.



Much has been said and written about Julian’s criticism of Christianity and his devotion to pagan philosophy, yet it is often overlooked that he was also an energetic and successful general. Like Alexander and Trajan, Julian loved military life and often shared the quarters of his soldiers, which made him highly popular among the troops. Like Caesar, he achieved a remarkable series of victories against Germanic tribes, and this coin accordingly celebrates the virtue of the Roman army, showing a soldier carrying a trophy and dragging a bound captive. Unfortunately for the Romans, Julian’s invasion of Persia in 363 proved far less successful: the emperor was killed in battle (or perhaps murdered) during the retreat from Ctesiphon, and his successor Jovian was forced to accept a humiliating peace with the Sasanids in order to preserve what remained of his army.