Constantine’s rise to the throne of the Roman Empire
Constantine’s rise to the throne of the Roman Empire

Summary/Abstract: Following the rules established by Diocletian in the Roman tetrarchy, the two natural sons of the two Augusti were to be elected Caesars. Normally Maxentius, Maximian’s son and Galerius’s son-in-law, was to become Caesar and so was Constantine, Constantius’ son, who was at the court of Diocletian. Galerius did not want Maxentius and Constantine to become Caesars because that would interfere with his plans. Among the soldiers present at the ceremony of Galerius’ coronation was also Constantine, son of Constantius Chlorus, who at that time was at the court of Diocletian. All officers asked him to fulfill his father’s wish and wear the imperial purple. Demonstrating wisdom, Constantine sent Galerius, the most authoritarian of the tetrarchs, the effigy of his coronation and a letter informing him that he had agreed to be elected Augustus, at the request of the military, and demanded imperial recognition. Galerius chose a compromise, electing Severus as Augustus and Constantine as Caesar. Constantine was pleased by Galerius’ response. The young emperor did not care so much about the title; he cared more about the fact that Galerius had recognized his position within the tetrarchy.

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