134- And Then There Were Two

What It Covers

Following Constantine's victory over Maxentius in 312 AD, the Eastern Empire remains contested between rivals Maximinus Daia and Licinius, leading to decisive battles that reshape imperial power and Christian legal status.

Key Questions Answered

• •Edict of Milan (313 AD): Constantine and Licinius jointly legalize Christianity and order provincial authorities to restore all confiscated property to persecution victims, marking the first time Christian worship becomes legally protected rather than merely tolerated throughout the empire.
• •Strategic marriage alliance: Licinius marries Constantine's sister Constantia in Milan to cement their political partnership against Maximinus Daia, demonstrating how imperial family ties serve as binding mechanisms for military cooperation and territorial power-sharing agreements between rival augusti.
• •Forced march tactics: Maximinus covers vast distances from Syria to the Bosphorus at brutal pace, pushing troops and animals to limits to catch enemies unprepared, successfully capturing Byzantium and Heraclea before Licinius assembles adequate forces for defense.
• •Battle of Tzirallum outcome: Despite commanding 70,000 troops against Licinius's 30,000, Maximinus maintains defensive posture expecting mass defections that never materialize, allowing the outnumbered force to break through and secure victory through aggressive offensive action rather than numerical superiority.