v32_0536 - DIOCLETIANVS AND MAXIMIANUS “Denier” ou abschlag d’aureus

DIOCLETIANUS AND MAXIMIANUS

(286-305)

Diocletian august since November 20, 284, after the assassination of Numerian became only august after the elimination of Carin, brother of Numerian in the summer of 285 (July) at the battle of Margus. Diocletian at the end of the year 285 joins a colleague, Maximian whom he raises to the cesarat between 10 and 31 December. At the beginning of the following year, on April 1, Maximian became august. A new political regime was born: the Dyarchy, a political regime that will operate until 293 and the creation of the Tetrarchy, extension of the previous regime by the addition of two Caesars, Constantius Chlorus and Galerius subordinate to the Augusti. At the creation of the Diarchy, the two augusts, Diocletian and Maximian, are equal, but the second is subordinate to the first. This functionality is reinforced by the religious role: Diocletian is placed under the protection of Jupiter and is therefore of Jovian essence while Maximian is under the protection of Hercules.