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Message:: [QUOTE="jamesicus, post: 2881997, member: 14873"] Recap of historical events during 307 AD following the defeat and execution of Severus II: The Tetrarchic structure begins to crumble On 28 October 306, the Citizens of Rome revolted against oppressive taxation and petitioned Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (Maxentius), son of retired Augustus Maximian Herculius, to assume Imperium. This he did, initially adopting the appellation of Princeps although his army proclaimed him Augustus. Maxentius persuaded his father, Maximian Herculius, to come out of retirement in order to serve as his "colleague Augustus". Galerius Maximian, the de-facto legitimate Augustus, rejected these actions as illegal and instructed Severus (because Rome was in his sphere of authority) to engage Maxentius and depose him. Early in 307 Severus commanded an army that marched south into Italy to engage Maxentius as instructed by Galerius Maximian. Severus was not well served by this army that maintained loyalties to its previous commander, Maximian Herculius, and indeed many soldiers deserted Severus. The forces of Maxentius quickly defeated those of Severus who was captured and subsequently executed in Rome. Maximian Herculius thereupon set about organizing the defense of Rome against an anticipated attack by Galerius Maximian and in April travelled to Gaul seeking an alliance with Constantine, Caesar of the West, in order to strengthen his position. 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. There was now a legitmately appointed Augustus - Galerius Maximian, one dubiously assumptive Augustus - Maximian Herculius, and two very questionably appointed Augusti - Constantine and Maxentius. The structure of the Tetrarchy was now in shambles. Chronology of Events: 306 AD* Severus is proclaimed Augustus of the West by Galerius Maximian in July.* Constantine is designated Caesar of the West by Galerius Maximian in July.* On 25 July Constantine assumes control of the Western Mints -- Trier, Lyons & London.* The Citizens of Rome revolt against oppressive taxation.* The Citizens of Rome petition Maxentius (son of Maximian Herculius) to assume Imperium.* Maxentius adopts the title of Princeps.* Later the army at Rome proclaims Maxentius Augustus - rejected by Galerius Maximian.* Maximian Herculius emerges from retirement to serve as "colleague Augustus" to Maxentius.* Galerius Maximian instructs Severus to depose Maxentius. 307 AD* Early in the year, Severus marches south into Italy with an army to engage Maxentius.* The forces of Maxentius defeat those of Severus who is captured.* Severus is subsequently executed in Rome.* 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. The inglorious end of the Tetrarchy In the spring of 308 Maximian Herculius had a falling out with his son, Maxentius, and left to join his now son-in-law, Constantine, in Gaul. In the autumn of 308 Galerius Maximian organized and convened a conference at Carnuntum consisting of himself, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius to discuss and resolve the "Augusti problem". Diocletian was but a shadow of his former self, both mentally and 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 his old friend and comrade, 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 recognized as Caesar, 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, 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 and reigning senior Augustus, was afflicted with a fatal urinary/reproductive tract disease in 308 and died a painful, lingering, 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 subsequently proclaimed co-Augusti, bringing down the curtain on this Historical Period. Chronology of Events: 308 AD* Maximian Herculius quarrels with his son, Maxentius, early in the year.* Maximian Herculius flees to Gaul to join his son-in-law, Constantine.* 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. Representative coins of this period - RIC Volume VI Numerous new reverse depictions now came into use on the reduced folles.. In 310 a variety of Mint symbols/letters appear in the reverse field. RIC VI, Londinium, No. 90, Maximian Herculius as Augustus emerged from retirement: <img src="http://jp29.org/lon690o.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /><img src="http://jp29.org/lon690r.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />DN MAXIMINIANO PFS AVG ................................... GENIO POP ROM -- PLN RIC VI, Londinium, No. 110, struck by Constantine in memory of his father, Constantius: <img src="http://jp29.org/lon110o.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /><img src="http://jp29.org/lon110r.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />DIVO CONSTANTINO PIO ...................................... MEMORIA FELIX -- PLN RIC VI, Ostia, No. 35, Maxentius as Augustus: <img src="http://jp29.org/000maxentiuso.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG ............................. AETERNITAS AVG N -- MOSTP Ostia Mint.. RIC VI, Londinium, No. 209b, Maximinus (Daia) as Augustus: <img src="http://jp29.org/lon209bo.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /><img src="http://jp29.org/lon209br.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />IMP MAXIMINVS PF AVG ........................................ GENIO POP ROM -- PLN RIC VI, Londinium, No. 209c, Licinius as Augustus: <img src="http://jp29.org/lon209co.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /><img src="http://jp29.org/lon209cr.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />IMP LICINIVS PF AVG ......................................... GENIO -- POP ROM -- PLN RIC VI, Londinium, No. 234, Constantine as Augustus: <img src="http://jp29.org/lon234o.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /><img src="http://jp29.org/lon234r.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />CONSTANINVS PF AVG ...................................... SOLI INVICTO COMITI -- PLN[/QUOTE]

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