Virtual Catalog of Roman Coins An Online Encyclopedia of Roman
Emperors Galerius (305-311 A.D.) Michael DiMaio, Jr. Salve
Regina University Caius Galerius Valerius Maximianus, more
commonly known as Galerius, was from Illyricum; his father,
whose name is unknown, was of peasant stock, while his mother,
Romula, was from beyond the Danube. Galerius was born in Dacia
Ripensis near Sardica. Although the date of his birth is
unknown, he was probably born ca. 250 since he served under
Aurelian. As a youth Galerius was a shepherd and acquired the
nickname Armentarius. Although he seems to have started his
military career under Aurelian and Probus, nothing is known
about it before his accession as Caesar on 1 March 293. He
served as Diocletian's Caesar in the East. Abandoning his first
wife, he married Diocletian's daugher, Valeria.[] As Caesar he
campaigned in Egypt in 294; he seems to have taken to the field
against Narses of Persia, and was defeated near Ctesiphon in
295. In 298, after he made inroads into Armenia