RCC/Maxentius Folly

Maxentius Folly

by Kent Woodson

The story of Constantine I (the Great), is often told and noted for his influence upon western civilization, but the tale of his foe Maxentius is just as interesting and tragic as that of Constantine. The political climate of early 4th century brought the best and the worst of men to the battleground that changed western civilization forever.

The political structure that dictated the terms of rule was known as the tetrarchy. This power-sharing structure was the creation of Diocletian late in the 3rd Century, and it stated that the empire be split in half with a senior leader heading each half of the empire (Augusti) and they be assisted by to junior leaders (Caesars). Ideally, this would allow the vast empire to be led adequately by seating power closer to the political and economic centers in the East and the West.

The tetrarchy worked for a few years until its membership lasted for sole power over the entire empire. Maxentius was one who lasted for power and took by force what wasn't given to him by his birth right.

His rivalry with Constantine started early in his political life. Maxentius was the heir apparent for leadership in the west. His father, Maximianus, was a hero in the west and had co-ruled with Diocletian before abdicating power in 305 AD. Galerius who was a friend and co-ruler with Maximianus passed over his son and named Constantine Caesar in the west. This angered Maxentius, but since his father was without his legions and was isolated in retirement, he had no power base to resist the elevation of Constantine. Severus II, who was the senior augustus in the west presented Maxentius with an opportunity.

Severus decided to tax Rome and the southern part of the Italian peninsula, which was a very unpopular ruling with the inhabitants of Rome. Rome, being the traditional seat of power, was exempt from most taxes and Severus who ruled from Ravennia was treating Rome just like any other city (the audacity!!). In addition, Severus II called for the Praetorian Guard (the garrison and personal protectors of Rome) to be disbanded. The populace and the Praetorian Guard of Rome needed a leader for their rebellion and found an eager applicant in Maxentius.

Maxentius hoped that Galerius the senior augustus in the east and elder augustus of the empire, would recognize Maxentius claim to the tetrarchy and back his rebellion, but Galerius instead insisted that Severus invade Rome and execute Maxentius.

Maxentius was ill prepared to defend Rome against a siege from the legions of Severus, so he called his father for assistance. Maximianus was eager to help his son and end his dull retirement. He was able to raise the legions of North Africa and join Maxentius in the revolt. In addition to the legions that Maximianus brought to Italy he was equally adept at undermining the legions of Severus.

Maximianus was the senior augustus in the west just four years prior and many of the Severus' legionnaires were still loyal to the old emperor and deserted Severus as he approached Rome. The Severus was defeated near Rome and was captured by Maximianus when he retreated back to Ravenna. Galerius then decided to invade Rome before Maxentius and Maximianus could organize and follow up on the defeat of Severus.

Maxentius and Maximianus then executed Severus and were able to stalemate Galerius north of Rome. Maximianus was able to make an uneasy alliance with Constantine (who was in Gaul) by betrothing his daughter, Fausta, to Constantine. Galerius fearing capture under the new alliance fled to the east and the friendly (at least by 4th century standards) of the eastern empire.

Maximianus soon grew weary of sharing power with his son and attempted to overthrown him (and why not he had been able to save the rebellion thus far without much assistance from his son). Maximianus however could not find the allies in Rome to unseat Maxentius and he fled to Gaul where his son-in-law Constantine protected him.

Maximianus convinced North Africa to abandon Maxentius as well. Since North Africa was the main source of grain to the Italian peninsula, Rome soon would fall victim to famine. Maximianus again grew weary of being a second fiddle and revolted against Constantine. Fausta stayed loyal to Constantine and told her father's plan to Constantine who quickly put down the revolt and executed Maximianus.

Realizing that the empire was on the verge of collapse and enemies external to the state were gaining an advantage by the fragmentation of the empire's leadership, Galerius called for a conference at Carnuntum. The talks broke down and in the end Constantine was re-recognized as Caesar in the west under Licinius I who was elevated to augustus in the west (much to the chagrin of Constantine), and Maxentius was declared a public enemy.

This conference did not give the empire the peace that it sought, in fact, Constantine and Maximinus Daza were unhappy with their titles and starting calling their troops to war. In 309 AD although the armies were not immediately attempting to overthrown his rule in Rome, he was precariously clinging to power because of the famine that plagued Rome. He sought to remedy the situation by sending his Praetorian prefect to conquer Carthage and restore the grain supplies to the Italian peninsula. The prefect fought with great success (due in large to Constantine and Maximinus bolstering their camps, and only leaving small garrisons in the far reaches of the empire).

Constantine did not move to stop Maxentius but instead used this time to bolster his political ties. Constantine allied himself with Licinius in the West, and Maxentius allied himself with Maximinus in the East. The alliance with Licinius was precarious but advantageous, it gave the opportunity for Constantine to invade Italy and face Maxentius with his rear and flank protected by the territories of his ally. Maxentius' alliance was not as useful, because Maximinus seat of power was across the empire.

Constantine's army moved quickly bringing to bear a force of only about 40,000 men against the legions of Maxentius who numbered some 150,000. His army's quick movement prohibited Maximinus from being able to send troops to aid Maxentius. The stage was set and the two men met near Rome at Milvian Bridge. The eve before the great battle, Constantine saw a sign to fight under the Christian God instead of his protecting God, Sol - Apollo.

Maxentius was a brash young man and although he commanded a numerically superior force, he was a poor general in charge of inexperienced (largely civilian) troops. He crossed the rain-swollen Tiber and engaged Constantine's troops near their encampment. Because of the size of his force and the only path to Constantine was over Milvian Bridge, he couldn't use all of his troops effectively. He was repulsed by the smaller force and his troops disorderly retreated back to Milvian Bridge, where it became clogged with troops moving towards the battle field and retreating from it. The bridge collapsed under the weight of the army, drowning thousands including Maxentius. Constantine had Maxentius' body fished out of the Tiber and then had it decapitated and placed on a pike for all of Rome to see.

It would be easy for history to forget such a hapless character if it were not for his coinage. Maxentius produced some impressive gold medallions that he used to bribe the legionary leaders of Severus' army, and he produced a large number of bronze folli (also known as nummi, depending on which source you read). These bronze folli are generally of exceptional quality, probably because many of them did not circulate long (Maxentius was only in power for six years) and many of them were probably buried during the three sieges of Rome in during his tenure. Because of the average quality and high survivor rate of Maxentius' bronzes, they are easily affordable in VF condition ($20 - $30).

Although there isn't a great deal of diversity in his coinage they are exceptional both for their aesthetic appeal and also the usage of traditional iconography. The reverses on his coinage used the symbols of Rome to evoke the power and history of the city. He had the Dioscuri Castor and Pollux, Romulus and Remus suckling on the she-wolf symbolizing the founding of Rome adorning his coins and he pictured the personification of Rome (Roma) on a number of his bronzes. The coin pictured here is an example of the latter, it shows Roma seated in a hexastyle temple with the legend CONSERV VRB SVAE... which translates to Protector of His City.

Maxentius did fancy himself to protector of Rome and its traditions, and with his death, Rome withered as well and when Constantine took control of the empire he moved the seat of governmental power totally from Rome and placed it in the east at Constantinople in 333 AD.

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