A huge coin hoard discovered in Britain last year -- 52,000 coins weighing 350 pounds (160 kg) -- includes several coins of the "emperor" Carausius. Carausius was a Roman general who declared himself emperor in AD 286 and ruled Britain until he was assassinated in 293 by his own treasurer. The hoard may have been Carausius' treasury, or perhaps an enormous offering made to the gods in the traditional British way, when he was threatened with invasion by more powerful Roman rulers on the mainland. The hoard has just been acquired by the British Museum.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Rebel General's Coins
A huge coin hoard discovered in Britain last year -- 52,000 coins weighing 350 pounds (160 kg) -- includes several coins of the "emperor" Carausius. Carausius was a Roman general who declared himself emperor in AD 286 and ruled Britain until he was assassinated in 293 by his own treasurer. The hoard may have been Carausius' treasury, or perhaps an enormous offering made to the gods in the traditional British way, when he was threatened with invasion by more powerful Roman rulers on the mainland. The hoard has just been acquired by the British Museum.
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