Maximianus was born in 250 CE in Pannonia of a lower class family. He received very little formal education, but quickly rose through the military ranks. He was made Caesar under Diocletian in 285 and Augustus from 286 to 305 CE, a rank which he shared with Diocletian. In 294 CE the two co-Augusti appointed two Caesars - Constantine and Galerius. This division of power is known as the Tetrarchy. Both of the Augusti and their Caesars claimed a special relationship with a particular deity: Diocletian with Jupiter and Maximian with Hercules, the latter of whom is featured on the reverse of this coin with his characteristic accoutrements. Katherine Hickey 2011.