Emperor Maxentius

maxentius augustus on follis.

the joint rule of maxentius , maximian in rome tested further when galerius himself marched italy in summer of 307 larger army. while negotiating invader, maxentius repeat did severus: promise of large sums of money, , authority of maximian, many soldiers of galerius defected him. galerius forced withdraw, plundering italy on way. time during invasion, severus put death maxentius, @ tres tabernae near rome (the exact circumstances of death not certain). after failed campaign of galerius, maxentius reign on italy , africa firmly established. beginning in 307 already, tried arrange friendly contacts constantine, , in summer of year, maximian traveled gaul, constantine married daughter fausta , in turn appointed augustus senior emperor. however, constantine tried avoid breaking galerius, , did not openly support maxentius during invasion.

in 308, april, maximian tried depose son in assembly of soldiers in rome; surprisingly him, present troops remained faithful son, , had flee constantine. in conference of carnuntum, in autumn of same year, maxentius once again denied recognition legitimate emperor, , licinius appointed augustus task of regaining usurper s domain. late in 308, domitius alexander acclaimed emperor in carthage, , african provinces seceded maxentian rule. produced dangerous situation maxentius, africa critical rome s food supply.

circus of maxentius in ancient times

maxentius eldest son valerius romulus died in 309, @ age of fourteen, deified , buried in mausoleum in villa of maxentius @ via appia. nearby, maxentius constructed circus of maxentius. after death of maximian in 309 or 310, relations constantine rapidly deteriorated, , maxentius allied maximinus counter alliance between constantine , licinius. allegedly tried secure province of raetia north of alps, thereby dividing realms of constantine , licinius (reported zosimus); plan not carried out, constantine acted first.

in 310, maxentius lost istria licinius, not continue campaign, however, middle of 310 galerius had become ill involve himself in imperial politics , died after april 30, 311. galerius death destabilized remained of tetrarchic system. on hearing news, maximinus mobilized against licinius, , seized asia minor before meeting licinius on bosphorus arrange terms peace. in meantime, maxentius fortified northern italy against potential invasions , sent small army africa under command of praetorian prefect rufius volusianus defeated , executed usurper domitius alexander in 310 or 311. maxentius used opportunity seize wealth of supporters, , bring large amounts of grain rome. strengthened support among christians of italy allowing them elect new bishop of rome, eusebius.

maxentius far secure, however. support dissolving open protest; 312, man barely tolerated, not 1 actively supported. without revenues of empire, maxentius forced resume taxation in italy support army , building projects in rome. election of bishop did not aid much, either, diocletian s persecution had split italian church competing factions on issue of apostasy (see donatism). christians of italy see constantine more sympathetic plight maxentius. in summer of 311, maxentius mobilized against constantine while licinius occupied affairs in east. declared war on constantine, vowing avenge father s murder . constantine, in attempt prevent maxentius forming hostile alliance licinius, forged own alliance man on winter of 311–12 offering him sister constantia in marriage. maximin considered constantine s arrangement licinius affront authority. in response, sent ambassadors rome, offering political recognition maxentius in exchange military support. 2 alliances, maximin , maxentius, constantine , licinius, lined against 1 another. emperors prepared war.