Aelia Eudocia. Augusta, AD 423-460. AV Tremissis (14mm, 1.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius II, circa AD 420-450/455. Good VF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 880. Estimated: $ 750

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

Aelia Eudocia. Augusta, AD 423-460. AV Tremissis (14mm, 1.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius II, circa AD 420-450/455. AEL EVDO CIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Latin cross pattée within wreath (ties 7); large central jewel above; CONOB*. RIC X 252; Depeyrot 72/2; DOCLR 461; Biaggi 2359. Lustrous, scattered light marks, graffiti on reverse. Good VF.

From the S & S Collection.

Aelia Eudocia started life as Athenais, born in Antioch to a prominent Pagan professor of rhetoric. Raised on the classics, she blossomed into a beautiful young woman who was an accomplished poet and orator. When her father died and her brothers cut her out of any inheritance, she traveled to Constantinople in AD 420 to seek redress from the emperor Theodosius II. But the scholarly young emperor was in the market for a wife and he was immediately smitten with Athenais. His sister, the devout Pulcheria, insisted that she convert to Christianity before any marriage, terms she readily accepted, taking the name Eudocia. The new Empress quickly became an advocate for universal education and tolerance, particularly toward Jews and other persecuted sects. She also sought to blend Classical Hellenism and Christianity. This placed her at odds with Pulcheria, who began to denigrate the sincerity of her conversion. To prove her devotion, Eudocia made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in AD 438, but soon after returning she was accused of adultery and banished from the court. Theodosius still loved her, however, and the terms were not severe. She was able to retire to Jerusalem where she continued her writing and charitable work until her death in AD 460.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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