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Today astronomical events mean science, hobby, witnessed by lot, ignored by more but hardly a daily political issue. In the roman era they could mean life and death, war and suffer or wealth and prosperity depending on the political wish that used these astronomical events as a propaganda.

Julian on his coinJulian the Apostata II ruled only for 3 years as an Augustus (emperor). During these years he issued several coins, one of them has to do with astronomy.

Julian the Apostata II had a terrible childhood. He was only six when all the male members of his family except his brother and 3 cousins were massacred. Constantius II, his cousin and later the Emperor, was suspected to order the slaughter. It's no wonder that Julian never wanted to confront his mighty cousin.

In 354 Julian's brother Gallus, acting then as a caesar (junior or sub-emperor), was executed by the order of Constantius II. It seemed that Constantius killed his caesars only for two reasons. Either the caesar was feeble and unsuccessful in battles or he was too successful, making Constantius jealous. After the death of Gallus - as the empire needed caesar - it was obvious that Constantius's last living relative, Julian had to be elevated to this rank. Julian performed well in this position, had some victories over Germanic tribes in Gaul. His success aroused Constantius jealousy who first removed Julian's close adviser then ordered more than half of Julian's Gallic troops to the east against Sassanids. This provoked an insurrection by the troops, whose members were born in Gaul, and had no desire to leave their birthplace. They proclaimed Julian an emperor and refused to move to east. Julian, still wanted to avoid the conflict – and the civil war – with Constantius, tried to support explanations for his disobedience. In a letter written to Constantius he made the Gods responsible for the actions.

Conjunction on Julian II. coinAs an emperor, he issued a coin one side with his portrait, and a bull with two stars on the other side. This coin caused a lot of speculations by numismatists for centuries, from which an article (appeared in American Journal of Numismatics 12 (2000) p. 157 by David Woods) summarized at least seven different solutions what the bull and stars may symbolize. The text not only describes the different ideas, but also points out their weakness, their unsuitability. Interestingly it doesn’t mention the possible astronomical reason that is clearly described in Marshall Faintich's well written book: Astronomical Symbols on Ancient and Medieval Coins. Cited here: “A bull is depicted with a small star between the horns, and a larger star above its shoulder. In the spring of 360, Julian's troops rose in revolt against Constantius, and proclaimed Julian II as Augustus. The depiction of the bull is fairly well understood. Julian II often slaughtered bulls to Mars, the Roman god of war. But what do the stars represent? On 4 May 360, Venus joined Mars to form a single bright object between the horns of Taurus (the Bull) as the constellation set in the western sky. Two weeks earlier, Mars was between the horns, and the brighter planet, Venus, rested on the the bull's shoulder . There can be little doubt that Julian saw this planetary conjunction as an omen for his victory and showed it on his coins“ (Although this book was issued only in 2008, earlier version was available in 1995, therefore could be known to Mr. Woods).

When this coin was issued in 362, Julian still needed the support of Gods as the civil war became more and more threatening. In his work “To The Cynic Heracleios” (appeared in March 362) he describes that Helios (the Sun God) reveals that he intends to set Julian in his cousin's place i. e. Julian claims that only he as an emperor guarantees the security of the state. The legend on the coin reads SECVRITAS REI PVB[LICAE] i. e. “the security of the State” may mean the same. Clearly this coin is a propaganda device, reaching more (mostly illiterate) people of the empire than his oration.

Conjunction over Heidentor in 2009On the mornings around July 20th, 2009 the planetary conjunction of spring of A. D. 360 repeated itself with some exceptions. The Taurus appeared on the eastern sky and Venus and Mars positions were swapped. Venus was between the horns and Mars rested on the shoulder on the bull. The waning Moon also joined the scene.

The photos were taken before dawn on 18th July, 2009 in Petronell-Carnuntum, besides the ruins of a roman settlement near Vienna, Austria. The triumphal arch was built from 354 to 361 AD in honor of Constantius II, i. e. when Julian II served here as a Caesar. Maybe that Julian saw this arch to build, which now called as Heidentor (Heathen’s Gate). The dance of planets in 2009 was as spectacular as it could be in 360. (Although the arch is in ruins and no bulls are slaughtered at this time).

The conjunctions of Mars and Venus in Taurus repeat themselves as millenia are passing by their importance is declining. In the International Year of Astronomy they means only spectaculars events and no more the will of the Gods.

 

 

 Conjunction over Heidentor in 2009 with Moon

In the conjunction of 2009 the Moon is also attended to the scene

 All pictures by curtesy of Eva Balogh