Eastern Mediterranean 323: Licinius and the Goths

30 Apr 313 Battle of Tzirallum early 317 Battle of Mardia May 323 Licinius and the Goths 18 Sep 324 Battle of Chrysopolis 11 May 330 Foundation of Constantinople sum 336 Battle of Narasara

Constantine agreed to make peace with Licinius in 317 in return for Licinius’ cession of Europe west of Thracia to him. This situation held for several years, but in 323 Tervingi Goths crossed into Licinius’ territory and, when Licinius failed to oppose them, Constantine also entered Licinius’ territory and drove them back. Licinius immediately accused Constantine of violating the peace, while Constantine denounced Licinius for failing to protect the frontier, and war soon broke out among the two.

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Main Events

1 Mar 317 Peace of Serdica ▲

Following the Battle of Mardia, Constantine pushed on east, towards Byzantium, but Licinius, anticipating this move, instead moved northwest to Augusta Traiana and cut Constantine’s supply line. Rather than risk all he had achieved, Constantine accepted Licinius’ offer to a truce. In a treaty signed at Serdica (Sofia, Bulgaria) in March 317, the two Augusti agreed to resume their alliance, while Licinius acknowledged Constantine’s gains by ceding Europe west of Thraciae to him. Constantine and Licinius also named their infant sons, Constantine II and Licinius II, and Constantine’s teenage son Crispus as Caesars. in wikipedia

321 Constantine–Licinius rift ▲

Following the Peace of Serdica in 317, Constantine and Licinius cooperated in the ruling of the Roman Empire for several years, but by 321 a permanent rift had formed between the two. In that year, rather than electing two consuls together, Constantine and Licinius each elected two separate consuls: Crispus and Constantine II in the West; and Licinius and Licinius II in the East. At the same time, at least according to Constantinian propaganda, Licinius initiated a new round of persecutions against the Christians, going against the 313 “Edict of Milan”. in wikipedia

323 Getas ▲

In early 323, while Constantine was in Thessalonica supervising the construction of his fleet, a force of Tervingi Goths under their leader Getas crossed the Danube into Licinius’ territory and advanced through the provinces of Lower Moesia and Thrace in the west of the Diocese of Thraciae, causing destruction but encountering no resistance from Licinius’ troops. In late April Constantine cancelled all military leave and announced severe penalties for collaborating with the barbarians, then marched into Licinius’ territory to face them. Fear of Constantine apparently persuaded the Goths to hand over their loot and prisoners and return north, but the incident drew condemnation from Licinius, who claimed that Constantine, by crossing into his domain, had violated the Peace of Serdica. Whether or not Licinius himself had been conspiring with the Goths from the start has long been debated by historians, but he seems to have enjoyed friendly relations with the Tervingi since 315 and they would quickly ally with him against Constantine in 324. in wikipedia