War against Constantine Maxentius

maxentius expected attack along eastern flank licinius, , stationed army in verona. constantine had smaller forces opponent: forces withdrawn africa, praetorian , imperial horse guard, , troops had taken severus, maxentius had army equal approximately 100,000 soldiers use against opponents in north. many of these used garrison fortified towns across region, keeping stationed him in verona. against this, constantine bring force of between twenty-five , forty thousand men. bulk of troops not withdrawn rhine frontiers without negative consequences. against recommendations of advisers , generals, against popular expectation, constantine anticipated maxentius, , struck first.

as weather permitted, late in spring of 312, constantine crossed alps quarter of total army, force equivalent less forty thousand men. having crossed cottian alps @ mont cenis pass, first came segusium (susa, italy), heavily fortified town containing military garrison, shut gates him. constantine ordered forces set gates on fire , scale walls, , took town quickly. constantine forbade plunder of town, , advanced northern italy. @ approach west of important city of augusta taurinorum (turin, italy), constantine encountered large force of heavily armed maxentian cavalry, labeled clibanarii or cataphracti in ancient sources. in ensuing battle constantine spread forces line, allowing maxentius cavalry ride middle of forces. forces broadly encircled enemy cavalry, constantine s own cavalry charged @ sides of maxentian cataphracts, beating them iron-tipped clubs. many maxentian cavalrymen dismounted, while others variously incapacitated blows. constantine commanded foot soldiers advance against surviving maxentian infantry, cutting them down fled. victory, panegyrist speaks of events declares, came easily. turin refused give refuge retreating forces of maxentius. opened gates constantine instead. other cities of north italian plain, recognizing constantine s quick , clement victories, sent him embassies of congratulation victory. moved on milan, met open gates , jubilant rejoicing. resided there until middle of summer of 312 before moving on.

the battle of milvian bridge giulio romano

it expected maxentius try same strategy against severus , galerius earlier; is, remaining in well-defended city of rome, , sit out siege cost enemy more. uncertain reasons, abandoned plan, however, , offered battle constantine near milvian bridge on october 28, 312. ancient sources attribute action superstition or (if pro-constantinian) divine providence. maxentius of course had consulted soothsayers before battle, customary practice, , can assumed reported favourable omens, day of battle dies imperii, day of accession throne (which october 28, 306). else may have motivated him, open speculation.

the armies of maxentius , constantine met north of city, distance outside walls, beyond tiber river on via flaminia. christian tradition, lactantius , eusebius of caesarea, claims constantine fought under labarum in battle, revealed him in dream. of battle itself, not known – constantine s forces defeated maxentius s troops, retreated tiber, , in chaos of fleeing army trying cross river, maxentius fell water , drowned. body found next day , paraded through city, , later sent africa, sign had surely perished.