Honorius | AE2

Reference: RIC X 46C
Date: 393-395 CE
Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG: Bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed, right
Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM: Emperor, head right, standing facing, holding standard and globe. SMNB in exergue
Mint: Nicomedia
Size: 21.2 mm
Weight: 4.02 grams

THE ROOSTER EMPEROR. The son of Theodosius, Honorius became emperor at a very young age and was ever under the influence of regents and powerful generals. Known more for his reclusive tendencies and love for animals than his political prowess, Honorius was allegedly more interested in his pets than governing the western half of the Roman Empire. One of these pets was a very large rooster named Rome. One later story passed down to us by the historian Procopius alleges that Honorius responded in a peculiar way to hearing about the Visagothic sack of Rome in 410 CE.

"At that time they say that the Emperor Honorius in Ravenna received the message from one of the eunuchs, evidently a keeper of the poultry, that Rome had perished. And he cried out and said, 'And yet it has just eaten from my hands!' For he had a very large rooster, Rome by name; and the eunuch comprehending his words said that it was the city of Rome which had perished at the hands of Alaric, and the emperor with a sigh of relief answered quickly: 'But I thought that my fowl Rome had perished.'"

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