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Maxentius
Bust of Maxentius. Museum Dresden (Germany). Photo Marco Prins.
Maxentius (Museum Dresden)
 Maxentius: emperor of the Roman world (306-312).

Names:

  • ±278: Marcus Valerius Maxentius 
  • 28 October 306: Imperator Maxentius 
  • April 307: Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius Augustus Herculius
  • 28 October 312: kiled in action
ruled in Italy and Africa

Successor of: Constantius I Chlorus, Severus II

Relatives:

  • father: Maximianus
  • mother: Eutropia
  • married to: Valeria Maximilla, daughter of Galerius
  • children: Valerius Romulus

Main deeds:

  • 306 Death of Constantius I Chlorus, Severus II becomes emperor; he is forced to recognize Constantine, the son of Constantius, as caesar; in this situation, Maxentius is proclaimed emperor in Rome, and recognized by the Senate
  • 307 Severus marches on Rome, but is forced to return to Ravenna; Maxentius accepts the imperial title and is recognized in Sicily and Africa; his father Maximianus defeats Severus; although Maxentius is recognized by Constantine, he fails to obtain recognition from Galerius
  • 308 Consul (with his son Romulus); Maximinianus unsuccessfully tries to dethrone his son; Maxentius is not recognized by the other rulers, who gather in Carnuntum; Africa lost to the usurper Lucius Domitius Alexander
  • 309 Consul II (with Romulus); death of Romulus; break with Constantine
  • 310 Consul III; Africa recovered; Lucius Domitius Alexander executed
  • 312 Consul IV; defeat and death at the Milvian Bridge
  • Damnatio memoriae
Buildings: Basilica of Maxentius; Circus of Maxentius; temple of Venus and Roma (all in Rome)

Succeeded by: Constantine I the Great
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