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Coin Jewelry :
Coin Cufflinks : Roman Bronze Coins of Emperors Constantine I The Great and Constantine II in 18 Karat Gold Cufflinks
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Roman Bronze Coins of Emperors Constantine I The Great and Constantine II in 18 Karat Gold Cufflinks - DC.1978
Origin: Israel
Circa: 4
th
Century AD
Collection: Coin Jewelry
Medium: Bronze
Additional Information: SOLD
$2,800.00
Location: United States
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Constantine I, called Constantine the Great, was
the first Roman ruler to be converted to
Christianity. He was the founder of Constantinople
(present-day Istanbul), which remained the capital
of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire until
1453. Constantine the Great unified a tottering
empire, reorganized the Roman state, and set the
stage for the final victory of Christianity at the end
of the 4th century. Many modern scholars accept
the sincerity of his religious conviction. His
conversion was a gradual process; at first he
probably associated Christ with the victorious sun
god. By the time of the Council of Nicaea (325),
however, he was completely Christian, but still
tolerated paganism among his subjects. Although
criticized by his enemies as a proponent of a
crude and false religion, Constantine the Great
strengthened the Roman Empire and ensured its
survival in the East. As the first emperor to rule in
the name of Jesus Christ, he was a major figure in
the foundation of medieval Christian Europe.
Constantine II was born in 316 A.D., the eldest son
of Constantine the Great and his second wife,
Fausta. When the empire was divided upon the
death of his father in A. D. 337 between him and
his brothers Constantius II, Constans I, he
inherited Gaul and most of Western Europe.
Together with his brothers, Constantine II
systematically murdered any of his relatives that
he considered a threat to his throne. They left
their young cousin Julian alive, however, and
Julian ultimately did lead a successful revolt and
become emperor. Part of the arrangements made
between the three brothers included Constantine
II acting as regent for Constans, who was
considered somewhat young to rule in his own
right. In 340, Constantine II and Constans got into
an argument over the administration of Italy.
Constantine II gathered an army to go chastise his
brother, but was soundly defeated in the battle
that took place near the city of Aquileia, in the
North of Italy close to the western slopes of the
Julian Alps. Constantine II was killed in the battle
after bitter fighting.
The person with the good fortune to wear this
magnificent pair of cufflinks literally holds history
in their hand.
- (DC.1978)
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