Description
House of Emirates is proud to present its elite clientele this majestic piece of Byzantine history
Emperor Anastasius I (491-518 AD) Follis.
Obverse: DN ANASTASVS PP AVG diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: Large M with a Christian Cross
Diameter: 32mm
Weight: 16.86 g Bronze.
It will make a stunning gift for someone special
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Anastasius I Dicorus was the Byzantine emperor from 491 to 518 AD. He is best known for his administrative reforms, financial prudence, and religious controversies.
Background and Rise to Power:
Born in c. 430 AD in Dyrrhachium (modern-day Durrës, Albania).
His nickname “Dicorus” (Δίκορος) means “two-pupiled” due to his heterochromia (one eye was a different color than the other). He was a court official under Emperor Zeno.
In 491 AD, after Zeno’s death, Empress Ariadne chose him as her husband and he became emperor Reign (491–518 AD)
Administrative and Financial Reforms
Known for financial discipline, he left the empire with a large surplus in the treasury.
Abolished Chrysargyron, an unpopular tax on tradesmen. Strengthened the Byzantine economy by reforming the coinage system and improving tax collection.
Religious Policies
Supported Monophysitism, which led to conflicts with Orthodox Chalcedonian Christians.
Tried to maintain peace through the Henotikon, a compromise doctrine, but it caused tensions with both Rome and Constantinople. His policies led to riots in Constantinople, particularly from Orthodox factions.
Military and Foreign Affairs
Faced a revolt by General Vitalian (514–515 AD), which he ultimately suppressed.
Strengthened the Byzantine frontier, particularly against the Persian Empire and Bulgars.
Built the Anastasian Wall to protect Constantinople from barbarian invasions.
Death and Succession
Died in July 518 AD, at the age of 87. He Left no direct heir; his death led to the rise of Justin I, a former military commander, who was the uncle of the famous Justinian I.
Anastasius I is remembered as a capable and reform-minded emperor whose financial policies helped set the stage for Justinian’s ambitious rule. However, his religious policies created divisions that persisted long after his reign.
