FLAVIUS GALERIUS VALERIUS LICINIANUS LICINIUS (308-324)

Scientific review article
Autor: Svetlana Pantelić
JEL: B11, E42, N23

Summary: Licinius was born around 250 A.D. in Dacia or Moesia Superior. When Galerius rose to the imperial throne, he helped Licinius become August in 308. After Galerius’s demise in 311, the Empire was divided: Licinius was entrusted with the European part and Maximinus Daia with the Asian part. The conflict between Licinius and Daia culminated in the battle of Tzyrallum (on the Ergenus field). Licinius won, thus in 313 acquiring the Eastern provinces of the Empire. On several occasions, he managed to avoid considerable losses in the battles against the Constantine’s army, but ended up defeated in the battles of Adrianople and Chrysopolis in 324. He was captivated and taken to Thessalonica where he was kept under house arrest. He was assassinated, together with his son, at the order of Constantine the Great, after he had conspired to launch a rebellion. Cruelty, as the most prominent character trait of Licinius, is represented on many of his portraits found on coins. This is particularly noticeable on coins where Licinius takes the image of Mars Ultor (the Avenger). The coins minted during Licinius’s reign can be divided into two periods: period of tetrarchy and period of joint rule with Constantine.

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