Dovahhatty – Unbiased History of Rome XVI: Constantine the Great

(12) MAXENTIUS –

USURPER: TETRARCHY (ITALY & AFRICA)

(306 – 312 AD: 6 YEARS)

One of the worst usurpers, consistent with Dovahhatty’s description of him as a “an ambitious little c-” – well, I won’t finish the last word but it starts with c and it definitely isn’t caesar.

On the other hand, it’s hard not to have some sneaking admiration for his endurance as an usurper, a reign of six years being quite the feat and in the heart of the empire no less, albeit Rome had waned in importance during the Tetrarchy.

As per Youtuber Spectrum, “everyone gives him sh*t but this dude started out from a terrible position and still ended up doing a lot. With not much more than a few Praetorians and some raw recruits, he established control of Italy and parts of Africa, managed to defeat not one but two emperors in a defensive campaign, and managed to last six years while pretty much everyone was hostile to him. Then Constantine happened.”

Those two emperors were Severus II, essentially a flunky of Galerius, and Galerius himself, although I think Spectrum gives too much credit to Maxentius as opposed to his father, Maximian, who was really behind the skilful defense of cities in Italy, particularly against Galerius.

Other redeeming features were arguably those of being the last emperor to permanently reside in Rome itself, as well as being a prolific builder in that city during his reign.

Maxentius essentially came to power as Diocletian’s Tetrarchy crumbled into civil war – well, more into civil war, after Diocletian’s death. The son of Diocletian’s western co-augustus or co-emperor Maximian, Maxentius might well have expected to succeed his father, but was bypassed for the throne when Diocletian abdicated and made Maximian abdicate as well.

However, when Constantine succeeded his father Constantius as caesar (or junior emperor) in the western empire, that set the precedent for a son to succeed his imperial father and Maxentius took the opportunity – presented by revolt of the populace in Rome, prompted by rumors of their exemption from taxation being withdrawn, and by the Praetorians prompted by rumors of being disbanded – to be acclaimed as emperor in Italy and Africa.

Galerius as eastern emperor or augustus was having none of that (despite being Maxentius’ father-in-law) – and his candidate that he had acclaimed as western emperor or augustus, Severus II, marched south from north Italy to quell the usurpation. No doubt they and most other people expected that to be quick, but to everyone’s surprise, Severus was defeated (and ultimately killed after surrendering) – albeit the decisive factor was Maximian, since most of Severus’ army had served under Maximian and defected to his son. Maximian himself joined in his son’s usurpation as co-emperor.

Then it was Galerius’ turn to march into Italy against Maxentius (and Maximian) and also to be defeated in the attempt to quell the usurpation, although he succeeded in withdrawing his army intact from Italy, albeit barely.

It becomes a hot mess after that, much like the Tetrarchy and its civil wars. Despite helping Maxentius win against Galerius, Maximian attempted to depose his son but lost but was deposed himself, fleeing to Constantine’s court.

Domitius Alexander usurped the usurper in Africa, being proclaimed emperor there and posing a real danger to Maxentius as Africa was critical to Rome’s food supply, but Maxentius ultimately succeeded in defeating Domitius and reclaiming Africa.

However, things were less rosy for Maxentius elsewhere. In the meantime, Galerius had died, being succeeded by Licinus and Maximinus II as co-emperors in the eastern empire – ultimately things devolved into a civil war with Maxentius and Maximinus on one side and Licinus and Constantine on the other.

No prizes for guessing the victor in that one, as Constantine was always the winning side. As Spectrum said, “then Constantine came” – Maxentius was defeated by Constantine at the famous battle of Milvian Bridge on 28 October 312 AD, with its equally famous legend of divine vision to Constantine before the battle, telling him “in this sign, you shall conquer”. He came, he saw, he conquered – and Maxentius drowned as his defeated army tried to flee back across the river.

DID DOVAHHATTY DO RIGHT?

Mostly, as per the quote at the start and the depiction as memetic virgin, although I lean somewhat into Spectrum’s admiration for him (ranking him among the ten most underrated emperors).

RATING: 2 STARS**

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