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For career advancement in ancient Rome, it certainly helped having family ties. No wonder that Maximinus II (270 - 313 AD), also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, experienced a dramatic boost in status when his adoptive uncle Galerius became eastern Tetrarchal Ceasar in 293 AD. A decade later, Galerius ascended to eastern Tetrarchal Augustus, and back-filled his position to nephew Maximinus.
Although Maximinus controlled Syria and Egypt, he aspired for even more authority. When the position of western Tetrarchal Augustus was deliberated at the 308 AD Carnuntum conference, Maximinus hoped to be announced the recipient. Instead, that title was bestowed to Galerius’ general, now the new western Augustus Licinius. Seemingly as consolation prize, Maximinus earned the title of Galerius’
Filius Augustorum, or son of the Augustus. Maximinus was understandably frustrated at being overlooked for Augustus, only to earn an additional title lacking any new authority.
By 310 AD, Maximinus’ patience to for further power had grown thin, and he accepted his troops’ nomination to Augustus. At that time, Galerius appears to have conceded to share top imperial billing, not only for Maximinus but also his western counterpart, Constantine. This time, Maximinus did not have to wait long to enjoy new power to go along with his new title as an eastern Augustus. In 311 AD, Galerius died, and Maximinus assumed control over as much eastern territories as he could, until arriving at an impasse with western Augustus Licinius at the Bosporus strait.
In addition to the eastern land grab, Maximinus rapidly implemented his own political agendas. He notoriously promoted polytheism, and stepped up Christian persecution. This represented a reversal of the recent situation wherein his predecessor, in his final weeks of this earth, suddenly decreed religious tolerance. Within months after his final ascension, Maximinus not only repealed Galerius’ deathbed edict, he openly engaged in reportedly violent religious intolerance.
Although Maximinus had finally achieved the ultimate rank of Augustus, his position remained precarious. He dealt with seemingly constant rivalry with his numerous co-Augusti. The situation turned even more dangerous when the two remaining legitimate western Emperors, Constantine and Licinius, formed an alliance. Maximinus attempted to ally with the remaining imperial claimant, namely Maxentius. The latter was captured and killed by Constantine in 312 AD, leaving Maximinus in a particularly hazardous position.
The same year, this coin was struck in the Asia Minor city of Nicomedia. The obverse bust of the laureate Maximinus appears in typical Tetrarchal style, even though by this time that political arrangement was crumbling. The verso depicts Genius standing left, donning a modius (a type of headdress), with chlamys (a short cloak) draped over his left shoulder, pouring liquid from patera (a bowl for religious offerings) in right hand and holding cornucopiae in left hand. In Rome’s pagan tradition that Maximinus so eagerly espoused, Genius represented the divine inspiration present in every individual, in some ways the precursor to the more modern concept of guardian angel.
Maximinus’ faith was not so strong that he relied solely on his pagan 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 Licinius’ Thracian territory, and his foe hastily put up a defense. The conflict between Maximinus and Licinius culminated at the Battle of Tzirallum. Maximinus 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 of the situation, reportedly escaped the battlefield disguised as a slave.
Although he realized his days as Augustus would soon end, Maximinus held on a short while longer. Echoing his uncle and predecessor, Maximinus’ last imperial edict granted religious tolerance and restored to Christians their confiscated properties. He died shortly thereafter, possibly suicide by poison. These dying efforts were insufficient to rehabilitate Maximinus' legacy, firmly rooted in the recorded histories of his pro-Christian contemporaries.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximinus II, 310-313 AD, Struck in Nicomedia, 312 AD, AE Follis (Billon Reduced Nummus) (5.29 g), NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Reverse: Nude figure of Genius standing left, wearing modius, with chlamys draped over left shoulder, pouring liquid from patera in right hand and holding cornucopiae in left hand, SMN in exergue, Γ in right field, Reference: RIC 71b.