Licinius
Emperor appointed by Galerius. He married Constantine’s sister at Milan, published the letter on freedom of worship at Nicomedia in 313, later turned against the Christians, and was defeated and put to death by Constantine.
Licinius came from New Dacia and was of humble birth, according to an anonymous Latin life of Constantine (Origo Constantini 5.13). Galerius made him emperor in the place of Severus (Lactantius, Deaths of the Persecutors 29). He married Constantia, the sister of Constantine, at Milan (Origo Constantini 5.13), and after defeating Maximinus Daia he had the letter granting freedom of worship posted at Nicomedia in June 313 (Lactantius, Deaths of the Persecutors 48).
Eusebius, who lived under his rule, reports that Licinius later dismissed Christians from his household and army, restricted the churches and had bishops in Pontus put to death (Eusebius, Church History 10.8.8–19). Constantine defeated him by land and sea. His life was spared at Constantia’s request, and he was then killed at Thessalonica on Constantine’s orders (Origo Constantini 5.23–29).
In the timeline
- AD 313, firm dateThe Edict of Milan
Constantine and Licinius agree at Milan that Christians and everyone else may worship as they choose. The text that survives is a letter Licinius had posted at Nicomedia in June 313, which also orders confiscated church property returned.
Primary sources
The Origin of the Emperor Constantine
- Origo Constantini 5.13penelope.uchicago.edu
- Origo Constantini 5.23–29penelope.uchicago.edu