Severus (II) -- the unfortunate Tetrarch

That is an interesting example @ancient coin hunter -- thanks for posting it.

 

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Thank you John. Here is a continuation of the events following the death of Severus (II):

The Tetrarchic structure begins to crumble

In April of 307 Maximian Herculius had a falling out with his son, Maxentius, and they parted ways. Maximian Herculius travelled to Gaul seeking an alliance with Constantine, now the Caesar of the West. The alliance was duly consummated and cemented when Constantine married the daughter of Maximian Herculius, Fausta Flavia Maxima (Fausta). Constantine assumed the title and powers of Augustus later in the year (not recognized by Galerius Maximian) after affirmation by Maximian Herculius and the Diocletian Tetrarchic System of Government by two Augusti and two Caesars selected by them effectively came to an end.

Chronology of Events:

307 AD
* Early in the year Maximian Herculius has a falling out with his son, Maxentius, and they part ways.
* Maximian Herculius travels to Gaul seeking an alliance with Constantine.
* Constantine marries Fausta, daughter of Maximian Herculius, in April.
* Galerius Maximian marches into Italy with an army to depose Maxentius.
* Galerius Maximian is unsuccessful in subduing Maxentius and withdraws.
* Maxentius is left in control of much of Italy, Northern Africa and Spain.
* Constantine is affirmed as Augustus by Maximian Herculius.
* Constantine assumes the title and powers of Augustus sometime after 25 July.
* Galerius Maximian does not recognize Constantine's elevation to Augustus.
* Maximian Herculius returns to Rome to re-join his son, Maxentius, as "colleague Augustus".
* Once again Maximian Herculius falls out with his son Maxentius and he re-joins his now son-in-law Constantine.

End of the Tetrarchic system of government

In 308 Galerius Maximian organized and convened a conference at Carnuntum consisting of himself and the retired Senior Augusti --Diocletian and Maximian Herculius -- to discuss and resolve the "Augusti problem". Diocletian was but a shadow of his former self, both mentally anf physically, due to the severe illness that befell him in 304 and consequently Galerius Maximian "ran the show" -- he was now the dominant force in the Tetrarchy. Galerius Maximian did not recognize either Constantine or Maxentius as Augustus, proposing instead that an old friend and comrade of his, Flavius Valerius Licinianus Licinius (Licinius) be appointed Augustus of the West to replace the deceased Severus, and he obtained the concurrence of Diocletian and Maximian Herculius in this maneuver. Maxentius was declared an enemy of the state by the conferees and Maximian Herculius once more went into retirement. Galerius Maximian proposed that Constantine be re-confirmed as Caesar of the West although Constantine did not acquiesce.

Constantine was incensed at his proposed "demotion" to Caesar subservient to Licinius as was Maximinus at the elevation of Licinius to Augustus in his stead, and so Galerius Maximian designated both of them Filius Augustorum: "son of the Augustus" -- a somewhat empty title of convenience and compromise -- in an attempt to mollify them.

There now followed a struggle between the Imperial Claimants: Maximian Herculius, who had again emerged from retirement as a self-proclaimed Augustus, and evidently with intentions to usurp Constantine, was defeated in battle by Constantine in 309 and committed suicide in 310. Maximinus was proclaimed Augustus by the troops of his army in the same year.

Galerius Maximian, the last surviving original Tetrarch, withdrew from the political scene due to being afflicted with a fatal malignant urinary/reproductive tract ailment in 308 and died a lingering, painful, death on 5 May 311.

Maximinus and Maxentius formed a Military Compact early in 312 but Maxentius was defeated and killed by the forces of Constantine during a famous battle at Milvian bridge outside Rome later that year. The forces of Maximinus were defeated by those of Licinius in 313, Maximinus committing suicide later that year. Constantine and Licinius were subsquently proclaimed co-Augusti, bringing down the curtain on this Historical Period.

Chronology of Events:

308 AD
* Conference of Carnuntum: Galerius Maximian, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius.
* Galerius Maximian nominates Flavius Valerius Licinianus Licinius (Licinius), to be Augustus.
* Licinius is appointed Augustus of the West.
* Maximian Herculius goes into retirement yet again.
* Maxentius is declared to be an enemy of the State.

309 AD
* Constantine and Maximinus are appointed Filius Augustorum by Galerius Maximian.
* Maximian Herculius again emerges as a self-proclaimed Augustus.
* Maximian Herculius is defeated by Constantine in battle and deposed.

310 AD
* Maximian Herculius, accused of plotting against Constantine, commits suicide.
* Maximinus is proclaimed Augustus by the troops of his army.
* Galerius Maximian now recognizes Maximinus and Constantine as Augusti.

311 AD
* Galerius Maximian dies on 5 May after a long and painful illness.

312 AD
* Maximinus and Maxentius enter into a Military Compact.
* Maxentius is killed in battle with Constantine at Milvian bridge outside Rome on 28 October.

313 AD
* Licinius marries Constantia, (half) sister of Constantine in January.
* Maximinus is defeated in battle with Licinius and flees east.
* Maximinus subsequently commits suicide in Tarsus.
* Conference of Milan -- Constantine (West) and Licinius (East) are proclaimed co-Augusti.
* Edict of Milan -- proclaims religious tolerance of Christianity.

 

With reference to the fatal disease of Galerius Maximian:

Edit: Inasmuch as this was drifting so much off-topic I re-posted it in a separate thread.

 

Please excuse the thread drift -- it just seems to happen eventually (sigh). I did want to add the following:

RIC VI, Londinium, No. 89b, Constantine as Caesar


FL VAL CONSTANTINIVS NOB C
GENIO POP ROM (PLN)

Draped laureate bust, Genius with head towered and loins draped.
Issued shortly after the death of Constantius following recognition as Caesar by Galerius.
Hereafter, folles were issued at reduced size and weight.

The London Mint continued to operate until 325 now under the auspices of Constantine as Caesar and then Augustus.

 

Great thread @jamesicus. I have enjoyed reading it and think your coins are fantastic

 

One of my few London mint coins is a Licinius from this period (RIC VI 209c, issued 310-312):

 

That is a very nice reduced follis of Licinius as (newly appointed) Augustus @Severus Alexander.

 

My latest upgrade of Severus II quarter follis:

Now he has a beard and a better patinas.