Editing Maximian (section)

==Rebellion against Constantine==
[[File:Statua di Costantino ai musei capitolini.jpg|thumb|Head of the [[Colossus of Constantine]]]]
In 310, Maximian rebelled against Constantine while the Emperor was on campaign against the Franks. Maximian had been sent south to Arles with part of Constantine's army to defend against attacks by Maxentius in southern Gaul. In Arles, Maximian announced that Constantine was dead and took up the [[Tyrian purple|imperial purple]]. Although Maximian offered bribes to all who would support him, most of Constantine's army remained loyal, and Maximian was compelled to leave the city. Constantine soon heard of the rebellion, abandoned his campaign against the Franks, and moved quickly to southern Gaul, where he confronted the fleeing Maximian at Massilia ([[Marseille]]). The town was better able to withstand a long siege than Arles, but it made little difference as loyal citizens opened the rear gates to Constantine. Maximian was captured, reproved for his crimes, and stripped of his title for the third and last time. Constantine granted Maximian some clemency but strongly encouraged his suicide. In July 310, Maximian hanged himself.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1pp=34–35|2a1=Elliott|2y=1996|2p=43|3a1=Pohlsander|3y=2004|3p=17|4a1=Odahl|4y=2004|4p=93|5a1=Lenski|5y=2006|5pp=65–66}}

[[File:Divus Maximianus Herculius - Münzkabinett, Berlin - 5533265.jpg|thumb|Maximian with [[capite velato|veil]] on a coin issued by Maxentius in 309–312]]
Despite the earlier rupture in relations, after Maximian's suicide Maxentius presented himself as his father's devoted son. He minted coins bearing his father's deified image and proclaimed his desire to avenge his death.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1p=34|2a1=Elliott|2y=1996|2p=43|3a1=Pohlsander|3y=2004|3p=20|4a1=Lenski|4y=2006|4p=68}}

Constantine initially presented the suicide as an unfortunate family tragedy. By 311, however, he was spreading another version. According to this, after Constantine had pardoned him, Maximian planned to murder Constantine in his sleep. Fausta learned of the plot and warned Constantine, who put a [[eunuch]] in his own place in bed. Maximian was apprehended when he killed the eunuch and was offered suicide, which he accepted.<ref>Lactantius, ''DMP'' 30.1</ref>{{sfn|Barnes|1981|pp=40–41, 305}} In addition to the propaganda, Constantine instituted a ''[[damnatio memoriae]]'' on Maximian, destroying all inscriptions referring to him and eliminating any public work bearing his image.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1p=41|2a1=Lenski|2y=2006|2p=68}}

Constantine defeated Maxentius at the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] on 28 October 312. Maxentius died, and Italy came under Constantine's rule.{{sfn|Barnes|1981|pp=42–44}} [[Eutropia]] swore on oath that Maxentius was not Maximian's son, and Maximian's memory was rehabilitated. His [[apotheosis]] under Maxentius was declared null and void, and he was re-consecrated as a god, probably in 317. He began appearing on Constantine's coinage as ''divus'', or divine, by 318, together with the deified Constantius and [[Claudius II|Claudius Gothicus]] The three were hailed as Constantine's forebears. They were called "the best of emperors". Through his daughters Fausta and Theodora, Maximian was grandfather or great-grandfather to every reigning emperor from 337 to 363.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1pp=42–47|2a1=Barnes|2y=1982|2pp=35, 265–66}}