Italy: Icon of Licinius (263-325), 58th Roman emperor, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm (Icons of Roman Emperors), Antwerp, c. 1645

Licinius (263-325) was born to a peasant family and was a close childhood friend of future emperor Galerius, becoming a close confidante to Galerius and entrusted with the eastern provinces when Galerius went to deal with the usurper Maxentius. Galerius elevated Licinius to co-emperor, Augustus in the West, in 308, though he personally had control over the eastern provinces.

After emperors Maxentius and Maximinus II formed an alliance, Licinius was forced to enter into a formal agreement with Constantine I, marrying his half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia. He fought against Maximinus' forces and finally killed him in 313, while Constantine had defeated Maxentius in 312.

The two divided the Roman Empire between them, but civil war soon erupted a year later in 314. The two emperors would constantly war against each other, then make peace before restarting conflict again for the next few years. Licinius was finally defeated for good in 324, with only the pleas of his wife, Constantine's sister, saving him. Licinius was then hanged a year later in 325, accused by Constantine of conspiring to stir revolt among the barbarians.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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