Ostrogoth King Witigis order Coin Framed 7x5 - Genuine Ostrogothic Coin - Ostrogoth Tribe History Teacher Gift - Framed Coin - Ostrogothic Empire
Ostrogoth King Witigis (536-539AD)
Witigis was a weak king whose tax officials raised taxes and pocketed.
Ostrogoth King Witigis (536-539AD)
Witigis was a weak king whose tax officials raised taxes and pocketed most of the money for themselves. Especially notorious was a logothete known as Alexander the Scissors (so-called because he was considered so greedy he could shave a gold coin so skillfully that the treasury would never notice). The Ostrogoths in the military received lower pay than others, a lack of opportunity for promotion, and pensions for veterans were not paid. Unemployment was rampant, and the people began to stir up revolt against a government which was supported by the Byzantine Empire.
The brewing trouble in Italy frustrated Justinian I who sent the famous general Flavius Belisarius to Italy to bring the region back into line with the empire. Belisarius took Sicily in 535 CE and Naples, then Rome, in 536 CE. In 540 CE, Belisarius took Ravenna and captured Witigis. Justinian I then offered the defeated Ostrogoths his terms, through Belisarius (terms he had no intention of honoring), that they could keep an independent kingdom in Italy and only give him half of their treasury rather than all of it. Belisarius privately objected to this offer but, as a soldier, did his duty and relayed the terms to the Goths.
The Goths did not trust Justinian or his offer, but they did trust Belisarius who had consistently treated the Goths with fairness and mercy during his campaign. They said they would agree to the terms if Belisarius endorsed them. As Belisarius could not do so in good conscience, the peace talks stalled. A faction of the nobility saw a way around the entire problem, however, and offered the crown of the Ostrogothic Empire to Belisarius. Loyal to Justinian, Belisarius pretended to accept the offer, went along with all the preparations to crown him at Ravenna, and then had the ringleaders among the nobility arrested and claimed the whole of the Ostrogothic lands, and their treasury, in Justinian's name.
Justinian, suspicious of Belisarius' motives and worried over his enduring popularity among the Goths, as well as with his soldiers, recalled him to lead forces against the Persians; he placed a Byzantine official in Italy to rule over the Goths. The Ostrogoths were tired of the abuses of their government, however, and wanted a king of their own. They elevated the Ostrogothic noble Eraric as king, but he proved too self-centered and just as weak as Witigis and was assassinated in 541 CE. The Goths then chose a nationalist military leader Baduila as king.
Dimensions 7 x 5 x 1.5 Inches
Message me if you want a frame from a different item in my shop and/or if you want different text and I'll see what I can do.
Can be hung with the attached hook or stand alone with the pull out stand (also attached)
Touch the antiquity. You may have been looking for this for a long time. It is impressive and awe-inspiring.
It will be a wonderful item for those who collect such artefacts and is a great gift for, especially for those who are hard to buy for.
Аfter excavation, these coins were washed with water.
You will get what you see in the photo.
Warning - Glass pane contained within the frame should you wish to display with it order