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

Martinian (-325), also known as Sextus Martinianus, was co-emperor with Licinius. Very little of his past his known aside from serving as a magister at Licinius' court. He was appointed to co-emperor in 324, when Licinius' civil war with Constantine I was at its height.

Martinian was sent with an army of Visigothic auxiliaries to prevent Constantine from entering Asia Minor, but was later recalled when Constantine's armies managed to bypass Martinian's forces. It was not known if Martinian managed to reinforce Licinius in time for his defeat at the Battle of Chrysopolis in 324.

Due to the intervention of Constantia, Licinius' wife and Constantine's sister, both Licinius and Martinian were initially spared, with Martinian being imprisoned in Cappadocia. Both Licinius and Martinian were executed a year later however, on the orders of Constantine.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History