Editing Maximian (section)

==Retirement==
Diocletian's ''vicennalia'', the 20-year anniversary of his reign, was celebrated in Rome in 303. Some evidence suggests that it was then that Diocletian exacted a promise from Maximian to retire together, passing their titles as ''Augusti'' to the ''Caesars'' Constantius and Galerius.<ref>''Panegyrici Latini'' 7(6)15.16; Lactantius ''DMP'' 20.4</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Potter|1y=2004|1p=340|2a1=Southern|2y=2001|2pp=152, 336}} Presumably Maximian's son [[Maxentius]] and Constantius's son [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] – children raised in [[Nicomedia]] together – would then become the new ''Caesars''. While Maximian might not have wished to retire, Diocletian was still in control and there was little resistance. Before retirement, Maximian received one final moment of glory by officiating at the [[Secular Games]] in 304.{{sfnm|Potter|2004|p=340}}
[[File:Follis of Maximian as Senior Augustus.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Silvered [[follis]] struck in [[Londinium]] 305–307 AD commemorating Maximian's abdication. Legend: DN MAXIMIANVS BAEATISSIMO SEN. AVG. / PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG.]]
On 1 May 305, in separate ceremonies in Milan and Nicomedia, Diocletian and Maximian retired simultaneously. The succession did not go entirely to Maximian's liking: perhaps because of Galerius' influence, Galerius' former army comrade [[Severus II|Severus]] and Galerius' nephew [[Maximinus Daza|Maximinus]] (both of whom had long military careers) were appointed ''Caesar'', thus excluding Constantine and Maxentius.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1pp=25–27|2a1=Williams|2y=1997|2p=191}} Maximian quickly soured to the new tetrarchy, which saw Galerius assume the dominant position Diocletian once held.  Although Maximian led the ceremony that proclaimed Severus as ''Caesar'', within two years he was sufficiently dissatisfied to support his son's rebellion against the new regime.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1pp=25–27|2a1=Potter|2y=2004|2pp=341–42}} Diocletian retired to the expansive [[Diocletian's Palace|palace]] he had built in his homeland, Dalmatia near Salona on the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]]. Maximian retired to villas in [[Campania]], [[Lucania]] or Sirmium, where he lived a life of ease and luxury.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1p=27|2a1=Southern|2y=2001|2p=152}} Although far from the political centers of the Empire, Diocletian and Maximian remained close enough to stay in regular contact.{{sfn|Southern|2001|p=152}}