Licinius

## Biography

Licinius was a Roman Emperor from 308 to 324, although only ruling the Eastern portion at his peak power.

He was born a Dacian in Moesia Superior to humble peasant origins. Earlier in his life, he accompanied his childhood companion and future Emperor, Galerius, on the campaign against the Sassanian Persian Empire in 298. He gradually built up Galerius' trust over him over the following years enough so that he was appointed as an envoy to the usurper Maxentius, (an illegitimate ruler who usurped the throne from Emperor Severus), to reach an agreement about his political position. Galerius then handed him authority over the Eastern provinces as he left to deal with Maxentius personally.

Upon Galerius' return, Licinius was awarded the title of Augustus of the West, gaining the regions of Illyricum, Thrace, and Pannonia. In 310, Licinius won a decisive victory against the Sarmatians. After Emperor Galerius passed away in 311, Licinius reached an agreement with Emperor Maximinus Daia (Also known as Daza), to divide the Eastern provinces among themselves: Licinius would control the Balkans (European provinces), and Daia would control the provinces below it, wielding power over Anatolia and the Diocese of the East (Asian provinces).

In 313, he met up with the (sole) Western Emperor Constantine in Milan to form the Edict of Milan, that tolerated Christianity within the Empire and also married his relatives to Constatine's relatives, thus forming an alliance. During this time, Daia decided to invade Licinius' territories, meeting his forces east of Byzantium. There, Licinius had a vision in which an angel recited him a prayer in which Licinius then repeated to his soldiers, and he defeated Daia's forces in the Battle of Tzirallum. Still believing that he had a chance of victory over Licinius, he reorganized his army at the Cicilian Gates in southern Anatolia to stop his advance, but his formation was again breached by Licinius's forces, with the war ending after Daia's death. Licinius was now the sole Eastern Emperor.

After this victory, Licinius rushed to quench a Sassinian invasion. The alliance between him and Constatine crumbled when a war broke out between them in 314. Losing a battle against him, he appointed Valerius Valens as co-Augustus, only to have him lose another battle soon after. Their relationship was conciled, but he had to excecute Valens. Over the course of the following years of an uneasy truce, Licinius campaigned against Sarmatians in 318. Constatine crossed into his territory in 321 in pursuit of Sarmatians that were pillaging his territory. He then repeated this action in 324, but with the Goths. This triggered Licinius, complaining that Constatine broke the treaty among them. Constatine, wasting no time, went on the offensive against him, defeating him in series of battles.

As a result of his defeat, he was imprisoned in Thessalonica. His plan to flee to the Goths and regain his power was exposed, and was excecuted for conspiring with babarians.

## Trivia

* In real life, Licinius started his persecution after a Christian bishop revolted against him.
* Also in real life, he did not did not revolt against Constantine after his defeat and was murdered by Constantine for unknown reasons.
* His death probably wasa sign that Constantine's paranoia had developed maturely.