v57_0226 - SYRIA - ROMAN PROVINCE - AULUS GABINUS Tétradrachme syro-phénicien

SYRIA - ROMAN PROVINCE - AULUS GABINIUS

(57-55 BC)

Coinage in the name of Philippe Philadelphe, Seleucid king

Aulus Gabinus began his career under Sulla by fighting Mithridates VI of Pontus. Friend of Pompey, he became a tribune of the plebs in 67 BC. He participated in the fight against the pirates who infested the Mediterranean in Cilicia and Crete and joined Pompey. He was praetor in 61 and consul in 58 BC The following year, he received as proconsulate, the province of Syria with an "imperium infinitum". He also reorganized the province of Judea and was proclaimed "Imperator". In 55 BC, he restored Ptolemy XII Auletes to the throne of Egypt. Accused of the crime of "maiestas", he went into exile. He was killed in 48 BC in Salona (Illyria) fighting in the camp of Caesar.