Lot 4582

Description

Pupienus, (238 A.D.), AE Sestertius, Rome Mint, (18.45 g), obv. Around IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, laureate bust of Pupienus to right, draped and cuirased, rev. S C to left and right in field, around VICTORIA AVGG, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding wreath in right hand and palm with drapery in left hand, (S.8539, RIC 23a, C.38, BMC 58). Nearly very fine, very scarce.

Ex Baldwin's, London, December 15, 1988.

Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus was Roman emperor with Balbinus for 99 days in 238, during the Year of the Six Emperors. The sources suggest that Balbinus suspected Pupienus of using his German bodyguard to supplant him, and they were soon living in different parts of the Imperial palace. This meant that they were at the mercy of disaffected elements in the Praetorian Guard, who resented serving under Senate-appointed emperors, and now plotted to kill them. Pupienus, becoming aware of the threat, begged Balbinus to call for the German bodyguard. Balbinus, believing that this news was part of a plot by Pupienus to have him assassinated, refused, and the two began to argue just as the Praetorians burst into the room. Both emperors were seized and dragged back to the Praetorian barracks where they were tortured and hacked to death in the bath house.