2015-10-19 Mon

Emperor Diocletian came to power in 284 CE and ruled over the huge Roman Empire on his own which proved to be ineffective due to the vastness of the kingdom. Therefore, he decided to share the rule with his trusted friend and General, Maximian, in 286 CE. Maximian was initially bequeathed the title of Caesar as suggested by literary sources of the time. No coins are known to have been issued with Maximian bearing this title.

Maximian was promoted to the title of Augustus in April 286 CE and ruled as a Junior Emperor with Diocletian ruling as the Senior Emperor. This rule marks the first numismatic era of Maximian. Coins were issued across the empire which spanned from the British Isles to Syria and Egypt. Initially, the denominations in which the coins were struck corresponded to that of Maximian’s immediate predecessors. In 294 CE, Diocletian decided to revamp the coinage of the Roman Empire and created new denominations for metals containing base metal and billon. He also reintroduced silver coins in the empire after 40 years when coins of this fabric were taken out of circulation.

In May 305 CE, Diocletian retired and coerced Maximian into retiring as well. Caesars Constantius I and Galerius replaced them as emperors. This ushered in Maximian’s second numismatic era in which the coins minted are popularly known as abdication issues. These issues portrayed Maximian as a father figure and a senior figure who was not involved directly in the affairs of the state.

Maximian and Constantius I’s sons were passed up for promotion where Diocletian and Maximian retired. They rebelled and forcibly snatched power to rule the Roman Empire. While Constantius I’s son, Constantine (later known as Constantine the Great), gained control of and ruled the westernmost provinces, Maximian’s Son, Maxentius, ruled Italy and North Africa. Maximian, who was not ready to retire, saw this as an opportunity to rule alongside his son and was made co-emperor. This marks the beginning of Maximian’s third numismatic era. Coins belonging to this era were issued at mints under the control of Constantine, who married to Maximian’s daughter, and Maxentius. In April 308 CE, Maximian attempted to overthrow his son, but failed and was forced to seek refuge in Constantine’s court who welcomed him reluctantly having been aware of his lust for power. In November 308 CE, Maximian attended a conference at Carnunten in the Balkans where Diocletian insisted Maximian to abdicate the throne once more. Maximian, after obliging, returned to Constantine’s court, the only place where he was welcome. This gave birth to the fourth numismatic era of Maximian. These coins were similar to those of the earlier abdication issues. This period also has the rare issues of Antioch and Alexandria which portray Maximian as though he were still an active emperor.
In the summer of 310 CE, Maximian staged a revolt against Constantine in an attempt to seize power after having been powerless for two years. The attempt failed as most of Constantine’s army remained loyal to the emperor. Maximian was cornered and captured and was given the option by the emperor to commit suicide. No coins were issued under Maximian under his third reign as a rebel. The fifth numismatic era comes in with the posthumous issues struck in his honour by his son, Maxentius, his son-in-law, Constantine, and another emperor, Licinius I.