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The 311 AD death of senior Augustus Galerius marked a further step toward the unraveling of the Roman Empire’s ruling Tetrarchy. One of Galerius’ last imperial decrees had promoted religious tolerance; perhaps the Augustus, realizing the terminality of his illness, feared the retribution of the Christian God. Taking Galerius’ place was his Caesar, Maximinus II, who had already claimed the title of Augustus a year earlier. Maximinus II now held undisputed control over Asia Minor and the Levant, and within weeks, he abolished the tolerance granted by his predecessor. He instead implemented a radical agenda: promoting a pagan counter-reformation and aggressively stepping up Christian persecutions.
It is important to note that these persecutions were often supported, if not fomented, by the leadership within prominent Eastern cities. In centers like Antioch, wealth and prosperity were inextricably linked to local pagan festivals and temple activities; in turn, these cities served as a vital revenue source for the imperial treasury.
This situation fostered a resurgence of traditional religion across the East. Numismatic evidence confirms this provincial fervor through the "Civic Issues" of Nicomedia, Alexandria, and Antioch. The latter city was the site where this current coin was struck between 310 and 313 AD — a specimen collectors refer to as a “Persecution Issue.” Its design is a throwback to pagan motifs that were commonly used prior to Diocletian's coinage reforms. The return to these designs was evidently quite popular in circulation; it is very rare to find such a coin today as uncirculated as the current specimen.
Unlike standard imperial coinage, the Emperor’s portrait is entirely absent. The obverse features two divine figures: the central one is widely interpreted as Tyche (the goddess of Fortune), though the inscription GENIO ANTIOCHENI pays tribute to the Genius of the People of Antioch. Below her, the river god Orontes is shown swimming, representing the waterway that connected the city to the Mediterranean world.
The reverse presents Apollo, the god of truth and prophecy. In one hand, he carries a lyre, reflecting his domain over the arts; in the other, a patera for religious libations. During this period, Apollo and many of his divine kin were making a resurgence across the East not only on coins, but through new statues and oracles that reportedly delivered divine condemnations of Christians. Maximinus II willingly obliged these "divine" requests, appointing new pagan priests and sentencing to death many who preached the Christian faith.
Meanwhile, the Empire's leadership continued its descent into chaos. By late 313 AD, Maximinus II determined that the growing alliance between Constantine and Licinius posed an existential threat. He led his Syrian troops on a grueling forced march across Asia Minor to launch a surprise invasion against Licinius. Although Maximinus II held numerical superiority, his troops were exhausted. Licinius’ legions proved victorious at the Battle of Tzirallum, and Maximinus II fled the field disguised as a slave.
Sensing his impending doom, Maximinus II issued one final imperial decree: he restored the properties and privileges of the Christians he had spent his reign pursuing. Following his defeat and death, the state-sponsored practice of paganism plummeted, clearing the path for the rise of Christian monotheism — a cultural shift that would fundamentally redefine the Western world.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, temp. Maximinus II, AD 310-313, Æ (16mm, 1.53 g, 5h), ‘Persecution issue’ struck at Antioch mint, 8th officina, Struck AD 310-313, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Tyche seated facing; river-god Orontes swimming below, GENIO ANTIOCHENI Reverse: Apollo standing left, holding patera and lyre, APOLLONI SANCTO, H to right, SMA in exergue, References: Van Heesch, Last 3a; McAlee 170j.
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