The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Grade Comment: silvering
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

For career advancement within the Roman military, it proved useful having a Caesar for an uncle. Therefore, it was not difficult to understand why Maximinus II (also known as Maximinus Daia) rapidly rose to prominence serving under eastern Augustus Galerius. The ambitious Maximinus received a particularly sweet promotion in 305 AD when Galerius became Augustus, and then called on his nephew to take his place. Even though Maximinus controlled Syria and Egypt, he aspired for even more authority. In 305 AD, he thought his ambitions would be rewarded after the death of Constantius I, the western Augustus. However, Galerius chose Severus II, rather than his nephew, as Constantius’ successor (and chose Constantine as western Caesar). After Severus was killed (by Maxentius) in 307 AD, Maximinus was once again disappointed as Galerius overlooked him, eventually selecting Licinius I as western Augustus. It was little consolation two years later when Maximinus was advanced to the meaningless rank of Filius Augustorum, son of the Augustus. Tired of waiting, Maxminus’ troops declared their leader Augustus in 310 AD, and Galerius was now forced to acknowledge the appointment (and he did for Constantine, who demanded equal billing). After Galerius died in 311 AD, Maximinus finally realized his goal to reign as Augustus, in control of the eastern Roman Empire. He quickly implemented his own agendas, for example, promoting Paganism and stepping up Christian persecutions, including the abolishment of religious tolerance granted by Galerius only weeks before his death. Unfortunately for Maximinus, he could not settle down and enjoy his new station for long: there were no fewer than four Augusti, and leadership of the Roman Empire was in a chaotic state. Eventually, Constantine allied with Licinus, and Maximinus sided with Maxentius. The latter was captured and killed by Constantine in 312 AD, leaving Maximinus in a precarious position. The same year, this coin was struck in the Hellenistic city of Thessalonica. This particular mint operated under Licinius’ control at that time, so naturally most of their coinage bore his image or that of Constanine. Even so, Thessalonica produced a few issues of Maximinus’, including this one. The obverse bust of the laureate and bearded Maxminus appears in typical tetrarchal style. The verso depicts Jupiter, which was a popular pairing with Maximinus since he was a Jovian, referring both to his worship of Rome’s original chief deity, and his link to Diocletian via Galerius. The accompanying legend reads IOVI CONSERVATORI, or Jupiter our Protector. Maximinus’ faith was not so strong that he relied on his pagan gods - even the King of the Gods- for protection against his two remaining rival Augusti. Sensing his enemies’ consolidation, Maximinus led his Syrian troops on a rapid, forced march across Asia Minor during winter 313 AD. He then launched a surprise invasion into Licinus’ Thracian territory, and his foe hastily put up a defense. The final battle occurred somewhere around Heraclea. Maximinius had the numerical superiority, however, his troops were frustrated and exhausted from their journey. Licinius’ troops proved victorious, and the once ambitious Maximinus, realizing the impossibility maintaining his title of Augustus, escaped the battlefield disguised as a slave. He lived under this lowly guise for the rest of his life, which ended only a few months later when his enemies uncovered him. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximinus II, 310-313 AD, Struck in Thessalonica, 312 AD, AE Follis (Billon Reduced Nummus) (5.29 g), NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, MAXIMINVS PF AVG, Reverse: Jupiter standing facing with head left, chlamys hanging from left shoulder, holding globe and scepter, IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, wreath to left and A in right field, dot SM dot TS dot in exergue, References: RIC VI Thes 50a; Fail 202a.

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