The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Maximianus Herculius, 286 – 305, first reign
Aureus, Cyzicus 287, AV 5.53 g. MAXIMIA – NVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. VI – RT – VS AVGG NN Maximianus, cuirassed, carrying shield in l. hand and spear in r., riding prancing horse over fallen barbarian, lying over oval shield; in r. field, second enemy, falling r. and raising r. arm in submission. C 613. RIC 3. Depeyrot 15/4. Calicó 4743.
Extremely rare and possibly the finest specimen known. A superb portrait and
a very interesting and finely detailed reverse composition.
Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Provenance
Sold by Hans-Dieter Rauch, auction 83, Vienna, 14 November 2008, lot 427.
Sold by Hans-Dieter Rauch, auction 85, Vienna, 26 November 2009, lot 909.

If Diocletian was the model of innovation and reform, his Imperial colleague Maximian was the model of loyalty. There no doubt were ample opportunities for Maximian to rebel against Diocletian, or at the very least attempt to set up his own empire in the west. But throughout twenty years of joint rulership, no such attempt was made. Maximian had been a high-ranking soldier of undistinguished parentage, and he clearly was grateful for the opportunity Diocletian had afforded him. However, during these two decades Maximian became addicted to power, and unlike Diocletian, who was more than willing to retire, he had no desire to step down. In May of 305 Maximian was forced to abdicate along with Diocletian. Months dragged on for Maximian, who stewed in forced retirement in his Italian villa until his son, Maxentius, raised a revolt in Rome against the senior emperor Galerius. Maximian jumped at this new opportunity to exercise power, but it is doubtful that he ever planned on playing second fiddle to his estranged son. Maximian was responsible for the initial survival of the revolt, for he rebuffed an invasion of Italy led by the new Caesar Severus II. Having secured Italy, Maximian eventually challenged his son, but could not gain enough support. Having worn out his welcome in Rome, the former emperor fled to the court of his son-in-law Constantine the Great in the west. In a repeat performance, Maximian eventually tired of his idleness and challenged Constantine, only to lose again, and this time to die in the aftermath. After twenty years of honourable service under Diocletian, Maximian tarnished a lifetime’s achievement because of his behaviour in his last three years of life.