305. The dilemma in which Diocletian is placed by the rash counsels of Galerius determines him to abdicate. He resigns the purple at Nicomedia, and persuades Maximian to follow his example on the same day at Milan. Constantius and Galerius take the title of augustus, and that of cæsar is given to Severus and Maximian.
306. Death of Constantius Chlorus; Constantine the Great, his son, is made cæsar; Severus becomes augustus; Maxentius, son of Maximian, assumes the purple. Maximian resumes the rank of augustus. Civil war begins between Constantine and his rivals. The Salian Franks are defeated by Constantine.
307. Licinius is made augustus on the fall of Severus.
308. There are five emperors actually ruling in the Roman Empire, with Maximian, as a sixth, holding nominal power in the court of his son-in-law, Constantine.
310. Maximian is slain by order of Constantine.
311. Galerius issues an order to stop the persecution of the Christians; his death occurs soon afterward.
312. Constantine vanquishes Maxentius in Italy, and becomes sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. See "Conversion of Constantine," iii, [289].
313. Constantine and Licinius proclaim toleration for the Christians.
Maximian is overthrown by Licinius, who unites the Roman Empire of the East under his rule.