Carus Antoninianus 282-383 CE

Denomination: Antoninianus
Era: 282-283 CE
Metal: AE/Billon
Obverse: IMP CARVS PF AVG. Mailed bust of Carus r. Radiate crown
Reverse: PAXE-XE-RCITI. In exergue, PXXI. Pax standing holding olive branch and standard
Mint: Ticinum
Weight: 3.29 g.
Reference: RIC 75 (Ticinum Mint)
Provenance: Munz Centrum auction, Sept 15 2021, lot 852

The history leading up to Diocletian’s historically significant reign must include the story of his rise to power. It started with the emperor Carus who made Diocletian commander of the Protectores domestici, the elite cavalry force directly attached to the Imperial household – a post that earned him the honour of a consulship in 283. As such, he took part in Carus's subsequent Persian campaign.

Carus was Killed during the successful War with Persia, leaving his sons Carinus and Numerian as the new Augusti.

Death of Numerian:
March 284 - Numerian was known to be in Emesa (Homes) Syria. It is believed to have been assassinated on his return journey to Rome. Aper, the prefect is traditionally believed to be the assasin. Coins were struck for Numerian as late as November 284

Rise of Diocletian:
November 284 -Numerian's generals and tribunes called a council for the succession, choosing Diocletian as emperor. After his accession, Diocletian and Lucius Caesonius Bassus were named as consuls in place of Carinus.

Over the winter of 284–85, Diocletian advanced west across the Balkans. His armies met Carinus's across the river Margus in Moesia. In the west, Carinus’s rule had become unpopular. When the Battle of Margus began, Carinus’s prefect Aristobulus defected. In the course of the battle, Carinus was killed by his own men. Following Diocletian's victory, both the western and the eastern armies acclaimed him as Emperor.