Mentions of her in chronicles of Byzantine history written by Theophanes the Confessor extend only to the point of describing her coronation, and cease after the occurrence of her daughter Domentzia’s wedding in 606 CE. ![]() When she does appear in texts of the early 7th century, Leontia is mentioned only in passing as Phocas’ wife and the mother of his child. Context and description for Leontia is lacking to such a great extent that it is quite difficult to source ancient material that mentions her as a member of Phocas’ imperial court at all. In contrast, Leontia’s memorialization upon coins does not seem to be the result of any ascertainable political involvement or legacy. As a result, she is known for, “being dominant both during her husband’s lifetime and after his death,” and thus earned her unprecedented position on coinage by merit. Art contemporary with the reign of Justin II and Sophia immortalizes her influential role within religious spheres, the control of political scandal, and the immensely important selection of Tiberius II as the subsequent Caesar. The common opinion became that Sophia ruled as her husband’s equal, as she took over some of his most important duties after his incapacitation by a vague madness in 574. This seemingly sudden appearance of a woman’s portrait on coinage in 565 was concurrent with a cultural perception of the empress that was distinct from previous ones. Thus, the inclusion of a woman on imperial coinage was still considered radical during Phocas’ brief reign, as it first occurred during the reign of Justin II only 50 years prior. The first female to appear on Byzantine coinage alongside her husband was Sophia, empress of Justin II. ![]() Such coins were minted at Constantinople, Cyzicus, Antioch, and Thessalonica. A few select coins depict the imperial couple by placing Empress Leontia frontal beside Phocas on the obverse (see images above). Many of Phocas’ coins were a typical issue of the common imperial bust, either frontal or in profile from the right. As such, Leontia’s presence on Byzantine coppers marks a change in the tradition of Byzantine coinage in which the woman of the Empire was featured as a figurehead of stability, even with her ambiguous background.Ģ0 nummia of Phocas depicting the imperial couple. This was most likely meant as an ode to the empire’s past, rather than an indication of personal merit. In an unprecedented move, Phocas’ empress, Leontia, became an icon of the empire’s former stability amongst Byzantine society. Iconographic elements on coinage were an integral aspect in the attempt to revise the public’s perception of Phocas. Coins became a means by which Phocas attempted to legitimize his power in light of his atrocities these included the slaughter of his predecessor Maurice and the subsequent public mounting of his head on a pike, as well as the slaughter of Maurice’s family. Despite, or perhaps because of, this legacy, coinage minted under the issue of Phocas served a crucial purpose in political messaging. His portrait is one of a violent, rash, and misdirected ruler who usurped the throne in an act so violent as to be called sadistic. ![]() Thousands of years later, written records and reference materials regard him as one of the most odious politicians in Byzantine history. Phocas the Thracian is a figure of the 7th century whose reputation precedes him. Beginning in September 2023, Sonia will be studying early Medieval archaeology at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. This summer, she has been working as an intern assisting in the creation of a digital typology of the Byzantine coins found in the MIBEC and DOC catalogs, as well as unique types found in the ANS’ collection. Sonia’s research focus is Byzantine coinage of the late 6th and early 7th centuries, particularly that of the emperor Phocas the Thracian. She was born and raised in New York City and now resides in Mamaroneck, New York. Today’s post comes from Sonia Suben, a third-year student studying anthropology, Classics, and art history at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
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