Carus was the Praetorian Prefect during the reign of Probus. While Probus was campaigning against the Persians, Carus incited the troops to rebel and kill the emperor. Naturally, he then took Probus’ place in 282, and immediately placed his sons Carinus and Numerian in appropriately dynastic positions. After a short period as Caesars, Carus promoted them both to Augustus. Leaving Carinus in Rome to manage the West, he took Numerian with him to wage war in the Persian frontier. Carus was said by to be killed by lightening after crossing the Tigris, but some scholars have found this, together with the mysterious and sudden death of Numerian on his journey back to Rome, doubtful. Indeed, the author of the Historia Augusta claims that the lightning association came rather from Carus’ tent being set afire after he died of an illness. (See Bibliography tab for sources.) Diocletian was the chief officer of the household and had extensive influence with other officials surrounding the Augusti, so it is very possible these suspicions of intrigue are warranted. Indeed, Diocletian immediately seized imperial power, marching against Carinus. While Carinus won the battle, such victory was brief: he was conveniently murdered shortly thereafter (possibly by the husband of a woman he attempted to seduce, possibly under more treacherous conditions). Regardless, with the three Augusti celebrated on this coin eliminated, Diocletian emerged as emperor, and a new era – the Tetrarchy – was born. KHK.