Maximinus was the biological nephew and adopted son of the Emperor Galerius, who had succeeded Diocletian upon the latter's retirement in 305. Galerius raised Maximinus to be his junior emperor (Caesar) at this time. With the death of the Tetrarch Severus II and elevation of Licinius, Maximinus seems to have gained more power and direct rule over the Asian and East African provinces. After a changing of alliances, Maximinus was defeated in a civil war against Licinius and Constantine I and subsequently dies in 313. Popularly, Maximinus is best remembered as a persecutor of Christians, in particular, he is the antagonist in the Life of Saint Catherine.

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