Father of Christmas: Roman Coin Portfolio Album

It is a little-known fact that the real Father of Christmas was a staunch pagan.  Aurelian became emperor at what was, at the time, the nadir of Ancient Rome. In 270, the eastern and western sections of the empire seceded, the economy was in freefall, plague decimated the population, and enemies lurked on all borders, eager to attack. In just five years, he managed to stop the invasions, stabilize the currency, and bring the breakaway empires back into the fold.   He credited his incredible success to Invictus Sol, the God of the Unconquered Sun. Worship of this pagan god became the de facto state religion, and Aurelian hoped that widespread adoption of the cult would work to unify the Empire, in the way that Christianity would for Constantine 50 years later. Thus he persecuted rival sects, including Christians. He declared the winter solstice—December 25, in the year 274—the feast day of Invictus Sol. Around that time, in an effort to win over the people, he cancelled public debts, ma