As Dacius had predicted, Galerius continued to go downhill and died some months later. Both Licinius and Maximin Daia moved at once to claim the territory he had governed and in a few weeks their armies faced each other at the Bosporus and the Hellespont, with the watery barrier of the Sea of Marmara between them. Here wisdom prevailed, however, and the rival Augusti of the East prudently decided that if they dissipated each other’s strength in a civil war, neither would benefit and either Maxentius or Constantine would then be able to move in and take control. The two therefore made a pact to divide Galerius’ old holdings between them the provinces of Asia falling to the lot of Maximin Daia, while those of Europe went to Licinius. And since the Hellespont, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosporus formed a natural barrier between Europe and Asia, the watercourse they formed was named as the boundary between the two Emperors.
Remain at Galerius
Licinius chose to remain at Galerius’ old capital of Sirmium in the Danube country, while Daia ruled mainly from Antioch in Syria. Meanwhile, a minor uprising in one of the African provinces gave Maxentius an opportunity to replenish his treasury and gain further power. Moving quickly across the narrow strait separating Sicily from Carthage on the Libyan coast, he laid waste to that fertile and rich province, seizing all riches that came into his hands and killing the owners.
During the subsequent triumph celebrated when he returned to
Rome, Maxentius flaunted his spoils. But, in spite of his newfound wealth, he did nothing to lessen the heavy tribute demanded each year from Rome and, in order to satisfy his passion for luxury and sybaritic living, sold consulships and preceptorships to the highest bidders, who then enriched themselves by oppressing the areas they ruled. Nor were the Senators themselves exempt from oppression, the socalled “Free Gifts” being demanded of them at every opportunity. Even worse, wives and daughters of prominent men were forced to yield to Maxentius and the licentious group of sycophants surrounding him, or see the men of their family hauled before the courts, executed, and their possessions appropriated by the State.
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