- Stock: Sold
- Model: GENIO ANTIOCHENI anonymous E/ Δ in field
An active campaign of persecution against local Christians by Maximinus II reached its height during 310-313 the eastern cities in Nicomedia, Antioch, and Alexandria. Christians were subject to confiscation of land and property, and expelled from the cities; Churches were closed and ransacked. These three major mint cities struck a series of small bronzes honoring the old Greco-Roman gods - Jupiter, Apollo, Tyche, and Serapis among them. The persecutions subsided in AD 313 as a result of the Edict of Milan, jointly issued by Constantine and Licinius - the senior emperors - which proclaimed a policy of religious freedom, and returned confiscated property to the Christians.
Time of Maximinus II Æ16. 'Persecution Issue'. Antioch, AD 310-313. GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Tyche seated facing, river-god Orontes swimming below / APOLLONI SANCTO, Apollo standing left, holding patera and lyre; E/ Δ in right field, SMA in exergue. Vagi 2954; Failmezger 229. 1.78 g, 16 mm, aVF