Eastern Mediterranean 313: Battle of Tzirallum

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Main Events

311 Constantine–Licinius alliance ▲

In 311 Constantine and Licinius agreed to an alliance to divide the Roman Empire between them, with Constantine offering his half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia to Licinius as a bride. Purportedly Maximinus Daza, when he heard of the marriage, formed a counter-alliance with Maxentius in Italy, but as the wedding did not take place until months after the death of Maxentius, this seems unlikely. Well into 312, both Constantine and Licinius continued to pay lip service to Maximinus’ authority as senior Augustus. in wikipedia

28 Oct 312 Battle of the Milvian Bridge ▲

In October 312 Constantine marched down the Via Flaminia towards Rome where Maxentius, concerned by dissent in the city and encouraged by omens that he would not fall on the day of his accession (28 October), assembled in front of the Milvian Bridge to oppose him. Constantine, who had his own omens, by now had his soldiers adorn their shields with combined Greek letters (either chi and rho or chi and tau) that would later become symbols of imperial Christianity. When Constantine prevailed, Maxentius and his forces fled across a pontoon bridge—constructed to facilitate their movement across the Tiber—only to have it collapse and send many, including the usurper himself, to drown in the river. The following day Constantine entered Rome; he was now supreme ruler of the western Roman Empire. in wikipedia

3 Dec 312 Death of Diocletian ▲

Diocletian’s last year seems to have been spent in some emotional discomfort as he unsuccessfully petitioned Maximinus Daza to return his daughter Valeria Galeria to him after she was banished from Maximinus’ court. Further disgraces occurred in 311/312 when Constantine ordered the destruction of statues and portraits of Maximian—most of which included Diocletian as well. In late 312 he was invited by Constantine and Licinius to attend the latter's wedding to Constantia; when his rejection on the grounds of ill health met with hostility, Diocletian drank poison, ending his own life at 68 in his retirement palace at Spalatum (Split). in wikipedia

Mar 313 Licinius and Constantia ▲

In March 313 Constantine and Licinius met in Mediolanum (Milan), where, in accordance with their alliance, Licinius married Constantine’s half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia. In Rome Constantine had ordered the restitution of Christian property confiscated during the persecution; he now appears to have persuaded Licinius to make similar measures, as well as a proclamation of religious toleration, after his anticipated defeat of Maximinus Daza. This agreement is traditionally called the “Edict of Milan”, although no official announcement would be made until Licinius entered Nicomedia in June. in wikipedia

30 Apr 313 Battle of Tzirallum ▲

In the spring of 313, while Licinius was still at Mediolanum, Maximinus Daza crossed the Hellespont with 70,000 men and captured Byzantium and Heraclea Perinthus. When he heard the news of the invasion, Licinius raced east to Adrianople, assembling a force of 30,000 men along the way. The two armies met at Tzirallum (Corlu) in late April, where, despite being severely outnumbered, Licinus’ veteran troops routed their opponents and compelled Maximinus to flee to Asia. in wikipedia