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Maximian (c. 250 – 310 AD) was born a shopkeeper’s son in Sirmium, located in the Pannonia province. Very little else is known about his youth except that he chose a profession of battling, rather than bartering. Maximian was aggressive and strong-willed, traits leading to his rapid promotion within the Roman army (a military career was definitely the right decision). He became good friends with another rising military leader, Diocletian, and the relationship turned out profitable. In 284 AD, Diocletian managed to grab the title Augustus, and over the next year he consolidated power and named trusted Maximian as his Caesar. The arrangement progressed so well that another year later Maximian was elevated to co-Augustus. As noted by historians, Maximian’s military brawn complemented Diocletian’s political brain. The duo even choose celestial patrons to suit their personalities. Maximian declared himself the son of Hercules, the divine hero famous for his bravery and strength, whereas Diocletian associated himself with Jupiter, the supreme sky God and divine personification of Rome's highest offices, internal organization, and external relations.
This aurelianianus, struck in 289-290 AD, advertises the divine connection. The coin was actually struck for Maximiam by Diocletian, based on the latter’s control over Siscia, the mint city of its striking. The obverse bust of Maximian, radiate and cuirassed, displays characteristics typically found on imperial coinage prior to reforms instituted by the co-Augusti around 293 to 294 AD. Depicted thereupon are the Emperor and his divine counterpart, Hercules. Both carry symbols of their power. Maximian holds a scepter, and Hercules leans on his club. Both are also holding pateras (a kind of bowl used in religious offerings) over a tripod altar, presumably in a show of divine accord. The inscription reads CONSERVATOR AVGG, reflecting that the co-Augusti will preserve and defend the Empire.
In terms of the Empire’s preservation, Maximian and Docletian divided up the responsibility between Roman Empire’s western and eastern halves, respectively. Maximian was tasked with quelling a rebellion in Gaul, and he turned to one of his top naval commander, Carausius, to finish the task. With the situation in Gaul under control, Maximian next turned his attention to the Alemanni and the Burgundians, who were invading along the Rhine.
Meanwhile, piracy was rampant in the channel between Gaul and Britannia. The culprits, mainly Frankish and Saxon pirates, were disrupting the Empire’s trading routes. Since Maximian was busy with wars elsewhere in his realm, he once again relied on Carausius to deal with the situation, granting him full control over essentially the entire western Roman naval fleet. This time, Maximian’s decision backfired. Carausius eliminated the pirates, however, he then exploiting his new navy to take over their highly lucrative business. Maximian then ordered the arrest and execution of Carasius. In response, the latter parleyed his triumphs further by declaring himself Augustus of his own Imperium Britanniarum.
Maximian was busy with battles elsewhere within his Western Empire; he briefly attempted attempt to oust Carausius in 289 AD, but the attempt failed. Maximian was forced to accept the situation for the moment, since he needed to focus on stabilizing the borders along the Rhine. Maximian was not the only one with enemies along multiple borders; his imperial colleague Diocletian was dealing with a similar situation in the east. Preserving the Empire was becoming increasingly problematic.
In 291 AD, the co-Augusti met in Milan after a celebratory tour through northern Italy (for more details on the festivities, see the comments under the pre-reform coinage of Diocletian in this NGC Ancients Custom Set). During the meeting, the co-Augusti brainstormed ideas that eventually led to administrative changes that profoundly affected the Roman Empire’s future.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximian 286-310 AD, Siscia mint struck 289-290 AD, AE BI Aurelianianus (3.83 g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right, IMP C M AVR L MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Emperor, holding scepter, and Hercules, leaning on club, standing face to face, both holing pateras, sacrificing at altar, CONSERVATOR AVGG, dot XXI dot D ΛI dot in exergue, Reference: RIC V Siscia, 580.