Roman Follis: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG / CONSERV... Lot 5

Roman Follis: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG / CONSERV VRBS SVAE (RBS)   Maxentius (307-312 A.D) / Bronze / 24 mm / 6.3g   AV.: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, head of Maxentius, laureate right. RV.: CONSERV VRBS SVAE, Roma seated, facing head left, in temple, holding globe and sceptre, shield at side. RBS in exergue.   In good condition.   Maxentius : Emperor of the West Roman Empire. Maxentius was the son of the Emperor Maximian. Angered at not being elevated to emperor in 305, he settled outside Rome, and when Galerius decided to extend taxation throughout Italy, he saw an opportunity to lead an uprising. He also joined Constantine I and called on his father Maximianus to resign. Severus tried to retake Rome, but his troops fled to Maximianus and he was killed. Galerius himself attacked Rome, but he too failed to put down Maxentius' rebellion. Maximian tried to seize power from his son in 310, but failed and fled to the protection of Constantinople. After a conference organised by Diocletian, Galerius and Maximian, the tetrarchy was restored, leaving Maxentius in control of Italy and Africa. However, his popularity began to decline and he faced rebellions. In 312, Constantine finally marched on Rome and Maxentius' troops were killed in the battle at the Milvius Bridge as they were retreating towards Rome. Maxentius himself was sayd to be killed as he tried to swim to safety.   Provenance: Swiss private collection A. Geissmann, Basel. Purchased in around 2012 from the art market Basel. Before that in Swiss private collection, Basel Area.