Diocletian
| GAIUS AVRELIVS VALERIVS DIOCLETIANVS was born in 240 in Dalmatia. He became Augustus after the murder of Numerian in October, 284, and he overcame Carinus at Margum to become sole Augustus in July, 285. In 286 he made Maximian co-Augustus ruling over the west (Diocletian took the east), and in 293 instituted the tetrarchic system, choosing as Caesars Constantius I and Galerius. He began to greatly persecute Christians in 303. He abdicated on May 1, 305 and retired to Dalmatia. He reformed the provincial administration, the coinage, and the army. He died of natural causes in 312 or 313 |
AE Antoninianus (21mm 3.52g) Struck 291 A.D.Rome
Obv: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG Radiate draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev VIRTVS AVGG Hercules standing, head left, holding club and trophy 
in exergue
RIC Vii184
AE Antoninianus (21mm 3.49g) Struck 284-294 A.D. Cyzicus
Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:CONCORDIA MILITVM Emperor recieving victory on globe from Jupiter Γ between XXI(dot) in exergue
RIC Vii 306
AE Post Reform Radiate (21mm 2.94g) Struck 295-6 A.D. Heraclea
Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:CONCORDIA MILITVM Emperor recieving victory on globe from Jupiter HB between
RIC VI 13
