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Galerius (260-311) was born in Serdica and was initially a herdsman like his father, before going on to join the Roman army, where he served with distinction under Emperors Aurelian and Probus. When the Tetrarchy was established in 293, he was named as one of the junior co-emperors alongside Constantius, marrying Emperor Diocletian's daughter Valeria.<br/><br/> Galerius fought alongside his father-in-law against the resurgent Sassanid Empire, eventually leading to his sacking of the capital Ctesiphon and his capture of the wife and children of the Sassanid king Narseh, with which he was able to negotiate a long-lasting and favourable peace treaty. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated in 305, Galerius and Constantius became joint emperors, with Galerius conspiring to secure a stronger power base than his co-ruler. His hopes and plans came to naught when Constantius died a year later and his son, Constantine I, ascended to become emperor of the western half of the empire.<br/><br/> Galerius had been a staunch opponent of Christianity, supposedly prodding Diocletian into enacting the Diocletianic Persecution, the largest and most violent official persecution of Christians in the empire's history, by burning down the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. His attitude changed in 311 when he enacted the Edict of Toleration, asking for Christians to pray for him as he suffered through a painful and fatal illness. He died six days later.
Maximinus II (270-313), also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was of Dacian peasant stock and nephew of Emperor Galerius. He joined the army and rose to high distinction, eventually being adopted by his uncle and raised to the rank of Caesar, giving him governorship of Syria and Egypt. When his uncle died in 311, Maximinus divided the Eastern Empire between himself and co-Emperor Licinius.<br/><br/> However, when Licinius made common cause with Constantine I, Maximinus was forced to establish a secret alliance with the usurper Emperor Maxentius, who controlled Italy. He made open war with Licinius in 313, but faced a massive defeat at the Battle of Tzirallum in the same year. He fled to Nicomedia and Tarsus, and eventually died, with multiple causes such as despair, poison and divine justice being ascribed to his death.<br/><br/> Maximinus II was known for his major persecution of Christians during his reign, one of the last great persecutions of Christianity, making demands to urban authorities to expel Christians and promoting Pagan beliefs. He only changed his mind and issued an edict of tolerance shortly before his death, just as his uncle had.
Galerius (260-311) was born in Serdica and was initially a herdsman like his father, before going on to join the Roman army, where he served with distinction under Emperors Aurelian and Probus. When the Tetrarchy was established in 293, he was named as one of the junior co-emperors alongside Constantius, marrying Emperor Diocletian's daughter Valeria.<br/><br/> Galerius fought alongside his father-in-law against the resurgent Sassanid Empire, eventually leading to his sacking of the capital Ctesiphon and his capture of the wife and children of the Sassanid king Narseh, with which he was able to negotiate a long-lasting and favourable peace treaty. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated in 305, Galerius and Constantius became joint emperors, with Galerius conspiring to secure a stronger power base than his co-ruler. His hopes and plans came to naught when Constantius died a year later and his son, Constantine I, ascended to become emperor of the western half of the empire.<br/><br/> Galerius had been a staunch opponent of Christianity, supposedly prodding Diocletian into enacting the Diocletianic Persecution, the largest and most violent official persecution of Christians in the empire's history, by burning down the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. His attitude changed in 311 when he enacted the Edict of Toleration, asking for Christians to pray for him as he suffered through a painful and fatal illness. He died six days later.
Maximinus II (270-313), also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was of Dacian peasant stock and nephew of Emperor Galerius. He joined the army and rose to high distinction, eventually being adopted by his uncle and raised to the rank of Caesar, giving him governorship of Syria and Egypt. When his uncle died in 311, Maximinus divided the Eastern Empire between himself and co-Emperor Licinius.<br/><br/> However, when Licinius made common cause with Constantine I, Maximinus was forced to establish a secret alliance with the usurper Emperor Maxentius, who controlled Italy. He made open war with Licinius in 313, but faced a massive defeat at the Battle of Tzirallum in the same year. He fled to Nicomedia and Tarsus, and eventually died, with multiple causes such as despair, poison and divine justice being ascribed to his death.<br/><br/> Maximinus II was known for his major persecution of Christians during his reign, one of the last great persecutions of Christianity, making demands to urban authorities to expel Christians and promoting Pagan beliefs. He only changed his mind and issued an edict of tolerance shortly before his death, just as his uncle had.