Editing Maxentius (section)

==== Milvian bridge ====
[[File:Sala di costantino, battaglia di Ponte Milvio 05.jpg|thumb|''[[The Battle of the Milvian Bridge (Giulio Romano)|The Battle of the Milvian Bridge]]'' by [[Giulio Romano (painter)|Giulio Romano]]]]

It was expected that Maxentius would try the same strategy as against Severus and Galerius earlier; that is, remaining in the well-defended city of Rome, and sit out a siege which would cost his enemy much more. For somewhat uncertain reasons, he abandoned this plan, however, and offered battle to Constantine near the [[Battle of Milvian Bridge|Milvian Bridge]] on 28 October 312. Ancient sources usually attribute this action to superstition or (if pro-Constantinian) divine providence. Maxentius of course had consulted soothsayers before battle, as was customary practice, and it can be assumed that they reported favourable [[omen]]s, especially as the day of battle would be his ''dies imperii'', the day of his accession to the throne (which was 28 October 306). What else may have motivated him is open to speculation.

The armies of Maxentius and Constantine met north of the city, some distance outside the walls, beyond the [[Tiber]] river on the [[Via Flaminia]]. Christian tradition, especially [[Lactantius]] and [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], claims that Constantine fought under the [[labarum]] in that battle, revealed to him in a dream. Of the battle itself, not much is known – Constantine's forces defeated Maxentius's troops, who retreated to the Tiber, and in the chaos of the fleeing army trying to cross the river, Maxentius fell into the water and drowned. His body was found the next day and paraded through the city, and later sent to Africa, as a sign that he had surely perished. Maxentius' entire family, including his two orphaned children, were also executed.