Maxentius AD 307-312 Bronze Follis Rome

Maxentius AD 307-312 Bronze Follis

Laureate bust right / Temple containing Roma holding wreath

Rome

RCV14987; 26mm, 7.53g

Maxentius was the son of the emperor Maximian being born around AD 287. Until AD 306 his career did not progress despite marrying Valeria who was the son of Galerius. This was probably due a dispute with his parents. The death of the western emperor Constantius in AD 306 resulted in his son Constantine being proclaimed Caesar. Meanwhile Severus was proclaimed Augustus in Rome causing Maxentius to rebel. Severus fled to Ravenna where he was captured and killed after being held hostage. Galerius, the eastern emperor, meanwhile also invaded Italy however many of his troops were still loyal to the old emperor Maximian who had retired. Maximian was declared emperor for the second time. Maxentius became Augustus in AD 307 however the animosity between father and son again came to the fore. Maximian again plotted against Maxentius but failed and was forced not only to flee but also abdicate for a second time in AD 308.
Maxentius meanwhile suffered the loss of his son Romulus as well as a famine in Rome which almost resulted in his downfall. With the death of Galerius in AD 311 Civil War again loomed. In AD 312 Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed trying to swim back across the river. His body was later recovered and his head severed and later paraded through the streets of Rome.