Maxentius
Maxentius was a Roman emperor who rose to power during a tumultuous period in the early 4th century CE. Born to Maximian and Eutropia, he became prominent after a revolt in Rome on October 28, 306 CE, when local officials rallied to his cause following the abdication of prior rulers. His claim to power was solidified when he successfully negotiated peace with Flavius Valerius Severus, who withdrew rather than face conflict with Maxentius. Maxentius's reign saw him expand his control into Africa after the murder of his father, Maximian, in 310 CE.
However, his ambitions led him to confront Constantine the Great, who was urged to intervene against Maxentius by Roman factions. A series of battles culminated in the decisive Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, where Maxentius's forces suffered a catastrophic defeat. Many of his troops drowned while fleeing, and Maxentius himself perished in the chaos. His defeat not only ended the tetrarchic system established by Diocletian but also paved the way for the eventual acceptance of Christianity as an official religion within the Roman Empire.
Maxentius
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Usurper, Roman emperor
Life
Maxentius (mak-SEHN-shee-uhs), son of Maximian and Eutropia, was married to the daughter of Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus. Upon the abdication of Maximian and Diocletian in 305 c.e., he was passed over in favor of better candidates. While he was residing in Rome, events swept Maxentius into prominence. On October 28, 306 c.e., a revolt broke out in Rome, and most officials went over to Maxentius. First Italy and then Africa proclaimed their allegiance to him. Flavius Valerius Severus marched on Rome, but his troops deserted to their old emperor Maximian. In order to avoid further embarrassment, Severus made peace with Maxentius and confirmed him as emperor.
After the murder of Maximian in 310 c.e., Maxentius successfully invaded Africa and brought it under his control. Emboldened by his successes, Maxentius declared war on Constantine the Great. The latter had received dispatches from Rome begging him to intervene against the tyrant. After victories at Turin and Verona, Constantine drove Maxentius toward Rome. The decisive battle was fought in 312 c.e. at the Saxa Rubra where Maxentius’s army was broken and driven toward the Tiber. During the Battle of Milvian Bridge, Maxentius’s army fled across the bridge and it broke beneath them. Many were drowned in the river; Maxentius was among the victims. Constantine became master of the West.
Influence
The defeat of Maxentius ended the tetrarchic system of Diocletian. It also led to the acceptance of Christianity as a religion of equal standing within the bounds of the Roman Empire.
Bibliography
Alföldi, Andreas. The Conversion of Constantine and Pagan Rome. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Burckhardt, W. The Age of Constantine the Great. New York: Dorset Press, 1989.