Following the chaos of the third century, Diocletian had attempted to facilitate a more orderly division of imperial power, and so organized rule of the Empire between four (theoretically) harmonious rulers, known as the Tetrarchy. A senior Augusti and his intended successor, a junior Caesar, would govern the west, and another Augusti and Caesar the east. The Augusti would abdicate after a reasonable time, and the Caesars take their place, naming their own successors in turn. Despite these attempts to eradicate violent family successions and foster stability through joint-rule, Constantine, son of the tetrarch Constantius Chlorus, marked the return of dynasty to the Empire. When Constantine’s father died unexpectedly in 306, his troops ignored the intended successor and proclaimed Constantine as Augustus instead. Concerned with forging himself as a legendary emperor like those of the early Empire, Constantine’s coinage moved towards more traditional features. For example, while prior to Constantine’s sole rule the Tetrarchs were portrayed in scruffy, military might as soldiers, here we see Constantine dissociating himself, and instead imitating nearly-divine rulers like Trajan and Augustus -- clean-shaven, young, and with locks of hair brushed forward on his head. The elaborate rosette diadem he wears is symbolic of the sovereign rule marking this new dynasty – a message antithetical to that of Diocletian’s hopes for the Tetrarchy. KHK 2015.