Romano-British Interest, Clodius Albinus, Caesar and Governor of Britain, Silver Denarius, Aesculapius.

Clodius Albinus (AD 193-197), silver Denarius, Rome, AD 193, D. CLOD SEPT. ALBIN. CAES., bare head right rev. COS II, Aesculapius standing left, holding serpent-wreathed rod, 3.08g, 5h (RIC IV.i, 2). Very fine, scarce.

Clodius Albinus was born in Tunisia and was Governor of Britain from AD 191-197. Albinus denounced the emperor Commodus as a tyrant, perhaps believing he was already dead and, when he declared that power should be restored to the senate, Commodus sent Junius Severus to relieve him of his post. Albinus successfully defended his position and, on the murders of Commodus and Pertinax, at the start of the "Year of the Five Emperors", his legions in Britain and Hispania declared him Emperor. With the ultimate strategy of "divide and conquer" the powerful Septimius Severus offered him the title of Caesar, but as Severus's dynastic ambitions became clear war ensued. Albinus was defeated at Lugdunum in AD 197, and beheaded, as were his wife and children at the orders of Severus. Septimius Severus would later lead a campaign in Britain personally, issuing coinage in his name and the names of his sons, with a legend including BRIT to celebrate the campaign. However, by a strange twist of fate, Septimius died in Britain at which point his sons quickly concluded a peace treaty and returned to Rome. One, Caracalla, would soon murder the other, Geta.