VISIGOTHIC KINGS

An exceptional coin struck in one of the main cities of the Orospeda region, a territory that had remained under Byzantine control until the imperial governor of Spania, Caesarius , ceded it to the Visigoths around 615 during the reign of Sisebut. The king issued coinage in his name both in Aorariola (modern Orihuela) and in Iliocrici (Lorca) as a means of asserting his sovereignty and control over this newly annexed territory. Both coins are unique pieces. Sisebut was determined to expel the Byzantines from his territories. He launched several military campaigns, even created a fleet, and allied with the Lombard king Adaloald to coordinate their attacks. Ultimately, he consolidated his conquests through a highly favourable treaty with the Byzantine governor, taking advantage of the empire’s weakened state after being defeated in the East at the hands of the Sassanids. It is worth recalling that Jerusalem fell to Khosrow II in 614.