Maximian: Roman Emperor from 286-305 AD, nicknamed Herculius. He suppressed rebels in Gaul and fought against Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier.
He was co-Emperor as part of the Tetrarchy:
- Emperor Diocletian (Augustus of the East): The architect of the Tetrarchy and senior Emperor.
- Maximian (Augustus of the West): Diocletian’s trusted military counterpart.
- Galerius (Caesar of the East): Diocletian’s junior partner and eventual successor.
- Constantius Chlorus (Caesar of the West): Maximian’s junior, and father of Constantine the Great.
The idea of the Tetrarchy system was to improve response times to crises, reduce the burden on any single Emperor, and ensure smooth succession. The Augusti mentored the Caesares, who were expected to succeed them, creating a built-in transition plan. Diocletian ruled from Nicomedia in the East, Maximian from Milan in the West, while Galerius and Constantius Chlorus governed from Sirmium and Trier respectively.
In reality, though, personal ambition and rivalries soon unravelled the system. After Diocletian and Maximian retired in 305 AD, the carefully balanced structure gave way to civil wars.
After abdicating in 305 AD Maximian returned to support his son Maxentius and later tried to usurp Constantine. His rebellion failed and he was forced to commit suicide in 310 AD.
SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR: Sacra Moneta Augustorum en Caesarum Nostrorum, meaning: The sacred money of our two Emperors and two princes.
Moneta: personification of prosperity and finances.
