Anastasius I (491-518AD)
Anastasius I Dicorus (c. 431-518AD) was a prudent and competent emperor. Following the death of Zeno in 491, the people wanted a Roman and an Orthodox Christian emperor. Ariadne, Zeno’s widow, turned to Anastasius I, who was in his sixties at the time of his ascension to the throne. Religiously he was acceptable so Ariadne married Anastasius shortly after his accession on May 20th, 491AD. His reign gained the popular support of the people.
Anastasius I was a Monophysite Christian who held that in the person of the incarnated Word, there was only one nature—the divine. The was labeled as a heresy and his personal religious tendencies caused tensions throughout his reign in the empire. Christianity had been deeply divided over this question was Christ only divine or also human.
Monetary System
Note: In 498 AD, a major reform broke with the tradition of Roman denominations. Traditionally, the dividing line is drawn between the Roman and Byzantine coinage as far as the bronze is concerned.
Mints: Thessalonica; Constantinople
Obverse Legends:
D N ANASTASIVS PP AVG
DENOMINATIONS (Pre-Reform)
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AU Semissis (2.25 grams)
AU Tremissis (1.45 grams)
AR Heavy Miliarense
AR Miliarense (4.50 grams)
AR Siliqua (3.25 grams)
AE4 nummus
Post-Reform
AE Follis
AE Half- Follis
AE Decanummium
AE Pentanummium
Imitations
