Galerius

Galerius (c. 250–311 AD) was a Roman emperor who ruled as part of the Tetrarchy, a system of government established by Emperor Diocletian to divide power among multiple rulers. Galerius played a significant role in the late Roman Empire, particularly in its military campaigns and the persecution of Christians. Born in present-day Serbia, Galerius rose through the ranks of the Roman military and became Caesar (junior emperor) in 293 AD under Diocletian. He was given command of the Eastern provinces and was responsible for defending the empire from Persian invasions. His successful campaigns against the Sassanid Empire in 298 AD resulted in a decisive Roman victory and a favorable peace treaty that secured Rome’s eastern borders. Galerius was a staunch advocate of the persecution of Christians. Under his influence, Diocletian issued the Great Persecution edicts in 303 AD, which led to widespread arrests, executions, and the destruction of Christian texts and churches. After Diocletian’s abdication in 305 AD, Galerius became the senior emperor (Augustus) of the Eastern Roman Empire. His rule was marked by power struggles within the Tetrarchy, as rival claimants, including Constantine and Maxentius, vied for control. Despite his early hostility toward Christianity, Galerius issued the Edict of Toleration in 311 AD, granting Christians the right to practice their faith legally. This reversal was possibly influenced by his deteriorating health, as he suffered from a painful and debilitating disease, believed by some historians to be cancer or a severe infection. He died shortly after issuing the edict. Galerius’ reign was significant in shaping the final years of the Tetrarchy and the transition toward Constantine’s eventual rise to sole power. Though remembered for his persecution of Christians, his late acknowledgment of religious tolerance paved the way for Christianity’s eventual acceptance in the Roman Empire.

This coin, the third example of the tetrarchic argentei, is just as well preserved and lustrous as the other examples. The lighting used can change the appearance of these coins quite dramatically. It is difficult to capture the sharpness of these coins without incurring too much contrast so every photo is a compromise. Perhaps the most striking aspect of Galerius' coinage is that the argenteus does not include the name Galerius. His full name was Galerius Valerius Maximianus and on the argenteus he used only his third name. This makes the coins difficult to distinguish from those of his predecessor, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus, who we usually call Maximian. Argentei of the two are often confused but can be distinguished by the portraits. The "straight nose" portrait of Galerius on copper coins is accompanied by a "G" or "GAL" in the legend, so we attribute the silver coins with this portrait to Galerius as well.