One of the members of the Tetrarchy, Maximianus had a convoluted reign that started when he and Diocletian began ruling as equals in 286. Maximianus was in charge of the western portion of the empire along with Constantius I, his junior in command, while Diocletian and Galerius ruled the eastern half. After several years of putting down revolts and usurpers, both he and Diocletian abdicated to let their Caesars take their place in 306. However, this peaceful arrangement would come to an end soon when Maximianus's son Maxentius initiated a revolt of his own. Seeing that it would lend an air of legitimacy...

Wife of Licinius, daughter of Constantius I and sister of Constantine I. The political marriage between the two was effected to ease tensions between the two great rivals and for a long time it served the purpose well. When Licinius was beaten for the last time Constantia was able to have her husband's death sentence lifted thanks to her appeals and the love Constantine had for her. Licinius would be despatched shortly afterwards on trumped up charges but the short reprieve was all thanks to Constantia's efforts. Constantia also takes an active role in the early Christian church finding favor...

If the accounts of chroniclers of the day can be believed, Constantius was the grandnephew of Claudius Gothicus. However, the links to Claudius may have been made up by Constantius sympathizers who noted that Claudius's niece (Claudia) had the same name as his great-aunt. The link would have been valuable as a means to substantiate an imperial line of succession from a desirable former emperor. Whatever his ancestry, Constantius climbed the military ranks and was in the position of Praetorian Prefect under Maximian. When Maximian was elevated as co-emperor he selected Constantius as his Caesar...