Maxentius was the son of Maximian, the first Augustus of the West under the Tetrarchic system. When Diocletian retired (and forced Maximian to do likewise in 305, Maxentius and Constantine (another Tetrarch's son) were left powerless. The pair gained recognition as filiae augustae, but no formal position. While Constantine's acclamation as emperor by the army upon his father's death in 306 was recognised by Galerius, Maxentius's popular acclamation as emperor by the people of the city of Rome was not, making him a rebel who held the capital. Defections within the western armies to Maxentius gave him effective control of the entire Italian peninsular and the ability to fend off attempts to remove him from power. Within Rome, he began the enormous Basilica of Maxentius and temple to Romulus and Remus. He died during the battle of the Milvian Bridge against Constantine when he fell off of the bridge and drowned.

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