Editing Constantine the Great (section)

=== Maxentius's rebellion ===
[[File:Portrait of Maxentius (SK Dresden Hm 406) 05.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Dresden bust of Emperor [[Maxentius]], who was defeated by Constantine at the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]]]]

Following Galerius's recognition of Constantine as caesar, Constantine's portrait was brought to Rome, as was customary. Maxentius mocked the portrait's subject as the son of a harlot and lamented his own powerlessness.<ref>Zosimus, 2.9.2; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 62; MacMullen, ''Constantine'', 39.</ref> Maxentius, envious of Constantine's authority,<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 29; Odahl, 86; Potter, 346.</ref> seized the title of emperor on 28 October 306. Galerius refused to recognise him but failed to unseat him. Severus was sent against Maxentius in April 307,<ref>Barnes, ''New Empire'', 5. Galerius and Maximinus ceased to be recognized as consuls at this time.</ref> but during the campaign, Severus' armies, previously under command of Maxentius' father Maximian, defected, and Severus was seized and imprisoned.<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 30–31; Elliott, ''Christianity of Constantine'', 41–42; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 62–63; Odahl, 86–87; Potter, 348–49.</ref> Maximian, brought out of retirement by his son's rebellion, left for Gaul to confer with Constantine. He offered to marry his daughter [[Fausta]] to Constantine and elevate him to augustan rank. In return, Constantine would reaffirm the old family alliance between Maximian and Constantius and offer support to Maxentius' cause in Italy. Constantine accepted and married Fausta in Trier in summer 307.{{efn|The event is the focus of the ''[[Panegyrici Latini]]'' VI. The exact chronology of events is uncertain. Constantine and Fausta's wedding is sometimes dated to 31 March, but this is probably a mistake. It probably took place in September 307.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nixon |first1=C. E. V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu3QEAAAQBAJ |title=In Praise of Later Roman Emperors: The Panegyrici Latini |last2=Rodgers |first2=Barbara S. |date=2023 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-34282-8 |pages=180–185}} The ceremony took place after 25 July, as there are coins that refer to Constantine as ''caesar'' while also commemorating his ''[[dies imperii]]''.</ref>{{sfn|Rees|2002|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LQQ5Ce-2de4C&pg=PA165 165]}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sang |first=J.C. |url=https://open.uct.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/842aeb2d-7a99-434e-8f92-3e31acdd39f5/content |title=Panegyrici Latini, VI and VII: Translated with Introductions and Commentary |date=1979 |publisher=University of Cape Town |isbn=978-0-19-924918-3 |pages=6–14, favouring late April/early May instead}}</ref>}} Constantine gave Maxentius his meagre support, offering Maxentius political recognition.<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 31; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 64; Odahl, 87–88; Pohlsander, ''Emperor Constantine'', 15–16.</ref>

Constantine remained aloof from the Italian conflict, however. Over the spring and summer of 307 he had left Gaul for Britain to avoid any involvement in the Italian turmoil;<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 30; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 62–63; Odahl, 86–87.</ref> now, instead of giving Maxentius military aid, he sent his troops against Germanic tribes along the Rhine. In 308, he raided the territory of the [[Bructeri]] and made a bridge across the Rhine at Colonia Agrippinensium ([[Cologne]]). In 310, he marched to the northern Rhine and fought the Franks. When not campaigning, he toured his lands advertising his benevolence and supporting the economy and the arts. His refusal to participate in the war increased his popularity among his people and strengthened his power base in the West.<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 34; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 63–65; Odahl, 89; Pohlsander, ''Emperor Constantine'', 15–16.</ref> Maximian returned to Rome in the winter of 307–308 but soon fell out with his son. In early 308, after a failed attempt to usurp Maxentius' title, Maximian returned to Constantine's court.<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 32; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 64; Odahl, 89, 93.</ref>

On 11 November 308 Galerius called a general council at the military city of [[Carnuntum]] ([[Petronell-Carnuntum]], Austria) to resolve the instability in the western provinces. In attendance were Diocletian, briefly returned from retirement, Galerius, and Maximian. Maximian was forced to abdicate again and Constantine was again demoted to caesar. [[Licinius]], one of Galerius' old military companions, was appointed augustus in the western regions. The new system did not last long: Constantine refused to accept the demotion and continued to style himself as augustus on his coinage, even as other members of the Tetrarchy referred to him as a caesar on theirs. [[Maximinus Daza|Maximinus]] was frustrated that he had been passed over for promotion while the newcomer Licinius had been raised to the office of augustus and demanded that Galerius promote him. Galerius offered to call both Maximinus and Constantine "sons of the augusti",<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 32–34; Elliott, ''Christianity of Constantine'', 42–43; Jones, 61; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 65; Odahl, 90–91; Pohlsander, ''Emperor Constantine'', 17; Potter, 349–50; Treadgold, 29.</ref> but neither accepted the new title. By the spring of 310, Galerius was referring to both men as augusti.<ref>Barnes, ''Constantine and Eusebius'', 33; Jones, 61.</ref>