Maxentius
| MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXENTIVS was born to Eutropia and Maximian in 283. He was twice passed over for the throne, but gained power by staging a coup at Rome in October, 306. His sister Fausta married Constantine I and gained an alliance. However he was declared a public enemy at the Conference of Carnuntum in November, 308. His relations with Constantine deteriorated, especially after Maximian tried to overthrow Constantine in 310. Constantine finally invaded Italy in 312 and met Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, where Maxentius was accidentally drowned in the Tiber. |
AE Follis (27 mm, 3.67gm) Struck 306-310 A.D. Rome
Obv: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG Laureate head right
Rev: CONSERV-VRB SVAE Roma seated facing, head left, in hexastyle temple, holding globe and sceptre, shield at side; Dioscuri in pediment and Victories as acroteria RBS in exergue
RIC VI 208
AE Follis (28mm, 5.8gm) Struck 309-312 A.D. Ostia
Obv: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG Laureate head right
Rev: AETERNITAS AVG N Castor and Pollux, each with a star above cap, naked but for chlamys hanging from shoulders, standing facing each other, each leaning on scepter with outer arm and holding bridled horse with inner arm, wolf and twins between them MOSTĪ in exergue
RIC VI 16
