Watch List notes:

THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Severus II caesar, 305 – 306

Aureus, Antiochia circa 305, AV 5.36 g. SEVERVS – NOB CAES Laureate head r. Rev. HERCVLI – CONS CAES Hercules, naked but for lion's skin on l. shoulder, standing facing, head l., resting r. hand on club and holding apple in l. hand; in exergue, crescent SMAZ *. C –. RIC 67. Depeyrot 20/3. Calicó 4986 (this obverse die).
Extremely rare. A magnificent portrait in the finest style of the period struck in high
relief on a full flan, almost invisible marks, otherwise extremely fine


Severus II certainly ranks among the least fortunate of the rulers of the Tetrarchic period. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated their thrones in 305, their loyal Caesars, Constantius I and Galerius, assumed the vacant titles of Augustus, and in turn selected replacement Caesars. For himself Galerius chose his nephew Maximinus Daia, and for Constantius I he chose his old comrade-in-arms Severus II (though Constantius was Senior Augustus, the true power was held by Galerius, who had the ear of Diocletian). Passed over in all of this was Maxentius, son of the just-retired emperor Maximian. Incensed at the turn of events, Maxentius revolted in Rome, first declaring himself Princeps and Caesar, and soon thereafter Augustus. Since the affected areas of Italy and North Africa were in the territory of Severus II, the grim task of marching on Rome and overthrowing Maxentius landed squarely on his shoulders. It might have seemed an easy task – the rebel had a small, ill-trained army – but that was before Maxentius lured his father out of unwanted retirement. Most of the soldiers Severus II was leading had served under Maximian, and through liberal bribes and crafty politicking Maximian turned the tide against Severus II, who fled north and eventually surrendered on the condition that his life would be spared. Father and son rebels were true to their promise until Galerius himself invaded Italy to finish the job, at which point they executed Severus II, and managed to expel Galerius from Italy.