Licinius, Valerius Licinianus

Born circa 250; died 325. Roman emperor from 308 to 324.

Of peasant origin, Licinius made his career in the army. In 308, Emperor Galerius proclaimed him co-ruler with the rank of Augustus. In the struggle for power between the four Augusti (311–312) that broke out after the death of Galerius, Licinius, in alliance with Emperor Constantine I, defeated Maxentius and Maximinus Daia, and Licinius became the ruler of the eastern part of the empire in 312. In 313, in agreement with Constantine, he issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming the free profession of Christianity. Soon a struggle for power in the entire empire broke out between Licinius and Constantine. Licinius was defeated, taken prisoner in 324, and executed.