GAIUS GALERIUS VALERIUS MAXIMIANUS (293-311)

Summary: Thanks to his virtues: bravery, strength, vigorousness and exquisite military skills, Galerius was appointed Caesar of the Eastern part of the Empire in 293. He was successful in fighting against the barbarians and the Persians, which brought his excellent reputation. In their positions of Augusti, Diocletian and Maximian were succeeded by Galerius and Chlorus. Although a conservative defender of the existing order, Galerius issues the so-called Edict of Toleration, which relates to the freedom of Christians to practice their religion and perform religious rituals. Galerius wanted to restore Diocletian’s project of the Tetrarchy (two Augusti and two Caesars), but in this he had no success. He renounced his position of Augustus, and died in 311 after a long and serious illness. The images of Galerius in his coins are stereotypical, limited by tetrarchy-imposed uniformity and impersonality, but nevertheless featuring prominent military strength, asceticism and victorious might in his portraits. In addition to these, coins were also minted to honour his wife Valeria Galeria. In these coins Valeria is presented as a young matron of cold beauty, with a noble and stout face.