The solidus was a highly pure, gold coin, issued in the Late Roman Empire, at the time of Diocletian. It continued to be circulating into the Byzantine Empire and until the 11th century AD. The coin had a vast circulation and was also used as a unit of weight of approximately 4.5 grams. The Emperor Valentinian, known sometimes as Valentinian the Great, ruled the Roman Empire from AD 364. He descended from a military family, accompanying his father to Africa on military expeditions. He rose to prominence and was declared Emperor, after various other choices declined the purple. To appease the army, who were hesitant in their support, he elected his brother as co-Emperor of the East. Valentinian held his court in Milan, whilst Valens operated from Constantinople. Valentinian is painted a boorish man, of military ascent and thus lacking the Classical education of finer men. Perhaps because of his more humble origins, he is credited to taking more of an interest in the lower classes.
