# Licinius

> Roman emperor from 308 to 324

**Wikidata**: [Q184549](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184549)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licinius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/licinius

## Summary
Licinius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 308 to 324. As a key political figure in Ancient Rome, he played a significant role during the Tetrarchy and the early 4th century, marking a transitional period in the empire's history.

## Biography
- **Aliases:** Valerius Licinianus Licinius
- **Nationality:** Roman
- **Known for:** Serving as Roman emperor from 308 to 324
- **Field(s):** Politics, governance

## Contributions
Licinius co-ruled the Roman Empire during a critical era, contributing to its political structure and military campaigns. His reign was marked by conflicts with other emperors, including Constantine the Great, which shaped the empire's future. Specific outcomes of his rule include:
- **Tetrarchic System Participation:** Played a role in the Tetrarchy, a system of rule established by Diocletian, which divided the empire among multiple emperors.
- **Military Campaigns:** Engaged in significant military conflicts, including the Battle of Cibalae (316) and the Battle of Adrianople (324), which were pivotal in determining the empire's leadership.
- **Religious Policies:** Issued the Edict of Milan (313) alongside Constantine, which granted religious tolerance to Christians in the Roman Empire.

## FAQs
**Who was Licinius?**
Licinius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 308 to 324, known for his role in the Tetrarchy and his conflicts with Constantine the Great.

**What was Licinius's role in the Tetrarchy?**
Licinius was part of the Tetrarchy, a system of rule that divided the Roman Empire among multiple emperors to improve governance and defense.

**What were Licinius's major military campaigns?**
Licinius engaged in key battles such as the Battle of Cibalae (316) and the Battle of Adrianople (324), which were crucial in determining the empire's leadership.

**What was the Edict of Milan?**
The Edict of Milan, issued by Licinius and Constantine in 313, granted religious tolerance to Christians, marking a significant shift in Roman religious policy.

## Why They Matter
Licinius's reign was pivotal in the transition of the Roman Empire during the early 4th century. His participation in the Tetrarchy and his conflicts with Constantine shaped the empire's political and military landscape. The Edict of Milan, co-issued by Licinius, had a lasting impact on religious freedom in the Roman Empire, influencing the spread of Christianity.

## Notable For
- Serving as Roman emperor from 308 to 324.
- Participating in the Tetrarchy, a system of divided rule in the Roman Empire.
- Engaging in significant military campaigns, including the Battle of Cibalae and the Battle of Adrianople.
- Co-issuing the Edict of Milan (313) with Constantine, granting religious tolerance to Christians.

## Body
### Early Life and Rise to Power
Licinius, also known as Valerius Licinianus Licinius, emerged as a prominent figure in the Roman Empire during the early 4th century. His exact birth date and place are not specified in the source material, but his rise to power coincided with the Tetrarchy, a system established by Emperor Diocletian to divide the empire among multiple rulers for better governance and defense.

### Reign as Roman Emperor
Licinius ruled as Roman emperor from 308 to 324. His reign was marked by significant political and military events. He was part of the Tetrarchy, which aimed to stabilize the empire by sharing power among several emperors. This system, however, led to conflicts and power struggles, particularly with Constantine the Great.

### Military Campaigns
Licinius engaged in several key military campaigns that shaped the Roman Empire's future. Notable battles include:
- **Battle of Cibalae (316):** A significant conflict between Licinius and Constantine, which resulted in a temporary truce.
- **Battle of Adrianople (324):** A decisive battle where Constantine defeated Licinius, leading to Licinius's eventual downfall.

### Religious Policies
One of Licinius's most enduring contributions was his role in issuing the Edict of Milan in 313, alongside Constantine. This edict granted religious tolerance to Christians, marking a significant shift in Roman religious policy and paving the way for the spread of Christianity within the empire.

### Legacy
Licinius's reign was a transitional period in the Roman Empire, marked by political maneuvering, military conflicts, and significant religious changes. His participation in the Tetrarchy and his conflicts with Constantine shaped the empire's leadership and governance. The Edict of Milan, co-issued by Licinius, had a lasting impact on religious freedom and the spread of Christianity, influencing the empire's cultural and religious landscape for centuries to come.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Licinius
3. Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus
6. Library of Congress Control Number
7. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
8. Enciclopedia Treccani