A COIN from the HERO of the GERMAN ( ALEMANI ) ITALIAN ( ROME ) WARS ( 269 ), AURELIAN ( INVENTOR of CHRISTMAS DAY )
Aurelian, born in the year 215, became Roman emperor on the death of Claudius II Gothicus in 270. Coming from a modest family, he rose through the ranks to be appointed commander in chief of the Roman – Balkan army.
During his brief ( 270 to 275 ) reign Aurelian managed to reclaim large portions of imperial territory and thus merited the title Restorer of the World, which he used on his coinage. He not only recovered Syria from Palmyra in 272, capturing its queen ( Zenobia ), but also reclaimed several western provinces from the rival emperors of the independent Empire. Aurelian also began construction of the wall around Rome, reformed the coinage, and installed the Syrian god Sol Invictus ( Invincible Sun ) as the unifying deity of the restored empire.
Although Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, commemorated on December 25, the church did not observe this festival until the 4th century. The date was chosen to counter the pagan festivities connected with the winter solstice. This date ( 25 December ) was established by Aurelian, as the feast of the Invincible Sun in the year 274.