Life and death in the ancient world: the tetrarchy and the last persecution of Christians (303 – 311)

Abstract

The present paper begins with a description of the Roman world after the Tetrarchy, with the fight for power between Constantine and, later, Licinius. We analyzed the political matters concerning the Roman world during this period. The numismatic collection stored at the Museu Histórico Nacional (National Historical Museum – MHN) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, served as an iconographic source to show how images were used at that time as propaganda, supporting and legitimizing the imperial rule.

Keywords

• Coins
• empire
• iconography
• power
• symbol.