Tremissis - Basiliscus VICTORIA AVGVSOTRUM; Constantinopolis

Reverse

Victory facing, her head to left, holding globus cruciger in her left hand and wreath in her right; to right, star; mintmark in exergue.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
CONOB

Unabridged legend: Victoria Augustorum

Translation: Victory of the Augusts

Comment

Basiliscus was the brother of the empress Verina, the formidable wife of Leo I. In 468 Leo put him in command of an immense task force sent to recover North Africa from the Vandals. The entire costly enterprise came to grief when the Vandals set fire to the fleet while at anchorage. Nevertheless, Basiliscus survived the debacle with his high standing intact. Upon the death of Leo in AD 474, Verina tried to arrange affairs so she could rule the Empire through two docile figureheads, her son-in-law Zeno and her infant grandson Leo II. When the boy died and Zeno desired to rule on his own, Verina hatched another scheme to put her lover, Patricius, on the throne with the help of Basiliscus, who controlled the city garrison. Zeno was duly induced to flee Constantinople, but Basiliscus seized the throne for himself and further enraged his powerful sister by executing Patricius. Basiliscus' position became even more precarious when he came out against the Eastern Empire's Orthodox religious authorities. He also managed to alienate two leading generals, who switched their allegience back to Zeno. After 20 chaotic months, Zeno reentered the capital in August, 476 and deposed Basiliscus in a bloodless coup. Basiliscus and his family were exiled to Cappadocia and starved to death, fulfilling Zeno's promise not to "shed their blood."

Interesting fact