Editing Constantine the Great (section)

=== In the West ===
Constantine recognised the implicit danger in remaining at Galerius' court, where he was held as a virtual hostage. His career depended on being rescued by his father in the West. Constantius was quick to intervene. In the late spring or early summer of 305, Constantius requested leave for his son to help him campaign in Britain. After a long evening of drinking, Galerius granted the request. Constantine's later propaganda describes how he fled the court in the night, before Galerius could change his mind. He rode from [[Cursus publicus|post-house]] to post-house at high speed, [[hamstringing]] every horse in his wake. By the time Galerius awoke the following morning, Constantine had fled too far to be caught. Constantine joined his father in [[Roman Gaul|Gaul]], at ''Bononia'' ([[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]]) before the summer of 305.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1p=27 |2a1=Elliott |2y=1987 |2pp=39–40 |3a1=Lenski et al.|3p=61 |4a1=Odahl |4y=2001 |4p=75–77|5a1=Pohlsander |5y=2004a |5pp=15–16|6a1=Potter |6y=2004 |6pp=344–45 |7a1=Southern |7y=2001 |7pp=169–70, 341 |8a1=MacMullen |8y=1969 |8p=32}}

[[File:Statue Constantin 1er York 13.jpg|thumb|[[Statue of Constantine the Great, York|Modern bronze statue of Constantine I in York]], England, near the spot where he was proclaimed [[Augustus (title)|Augustus]] in 306]]
From Bononia they crossed the [[English Channel]] to Britain and made their way to Eboracum ([[York]]), capital of the province of [[Britannia Secunda]] and home to a large military base. Constantine was able to spend a year in northern Britain at his father's side, campaigning against the [[Picts]] beyond [[Hadrian's Wall]] in the summer and autumn.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1pp=27, 298 |2a1=Elliott |2y=1996 |2p=39 |3a1=Odahl |3y=2001 |3p=77–78, 309 |4a1=Pohlsander |4y=2004a |4pp=15–16}} Constantius' campaign, like that of [[Septimius Severus]] before it, probably advanced far into the north without achieving great success.{{sfnm|1a1=Alföldi|1y=1948|1pp=233–34|2a1=Southern|2y=2001|2pp=170, 341}} Constantius had become severely sick over the course of his reign and died on 25 July 306 in Eboracum. Before dying, he declared his support for raising Constantine as emperor. The [[Alamanni]]c king [[Chrocus]], a barbarian taken into service under Constantius, then proclaimed Constantine as augustus. The troops loyal to Constantius' memory followed him in acclamation. Gaul and Britain quickly accepted his rule;{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1pp=27–29 |2a1=Jones |2y=1978 |2p=59 |3a1=Lenski et al. |3pp=61–62 |4a1=Odahl |4y=2001 |4pp=78–80}} [[Hispania]], which had been in his father's domain for less than a year, rejected it.{{sfn|Jones|1978|p=59}}

Constantine sent Galerius an official notice of Constantius' death and his own acclamation. Along with the notice, he included a portrait of himself in the robes of an Augustus.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1pp=27–29 |2a1=Jones |2y=1978 |2p=59 |3a1=Lenski et al. |3pp=61–62 |4a1=Odahl |4y=2001 |4pp=78–80}} The portrait was wreathed in [[Laurus nobilis|bay]].{{sfnm|1a1=Jones|1y=1978|1p=59|2a1=MacMullen |2y=1969 |2p=39}} He requested recognition as heir to his father's throne and passed off responsibility for his unlawful ascension on his army, claiming they had "forced it upon him".{{sfn|Treadgold|1997|p=28}} Galerius was put into a fury by the message; he almost set the portrait and messenger on fire.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gibbon, Edward |title=History of The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire. |date=2018 |publisher=[Otbebookpublishing] |isbn=978-3-96272-518-1 |oclc=1059411020}}</ref> His advisers calmed him and argued that outright denial of Constantine's claims would mean certain war.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1pp=28–29 |2a1=Rees |2y=2002 |2p=160 |3a1=Lenski et al. |3p=62 |4a1=Odahl |4y=2001 |4pp=78–80}} Galerius was compelled to compromise: he granted Constantine the title "caesar" rather than "augustus" (the latter office went to Severus instead). Wishing to make it clear that he alone gave Constantine legitimacy, Galerius personally sent Constantine the emperor's traditional [[Tyrian purple|purple robes]]. Constantine accepted the decision, knowing that it would remove doubts as to his legitimacy.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes |1y=1981 |1p=29 |2a1=Elliott |2y=1996 |2p=41 |3a1=Jones |3y=1978 |3p=41 |4a1=MacMullen |4y=1969 |4p=39 |5a1=Odahl |5y=2001 |5pp=79–80}}