ABSTRACT
If the elevation of Constantine to the dignity of Caesar constituted a satisfactory, even clever response to the family conundrum posed by Constantius, it was also singular and unrepeatable. An analogous problem soon presented itself which could not be so readily resolved. The newly constituted dynastic arrangement of 306 ought to have represented the beginning of a new concordia centred upon Galerius, and his consequent unchallenged rule as Augustus. His nephew was a Caesar, his friend was an Augustus and Constantine had been acknowledged and brought within the imperial college in subordinate rank. Within this structure of relationships, Galerius stood at the head. He was senior Augustus and father of them all. Such a situation, however, only briefly pertained: the months from July to October 306 represent the zenith of his political power. This ended on 28 October 306. Maxentius, Galerius' son-in-law and the only son of the abdicated Maximian, took the purple in Rome, proclaiming himself, significantly, as princeps, rather than Augustus. 1 The circumstances of this proclamation seem to be clear enough. Three issues came together here: taxation reform; the proposed abolition of the Praetorian and Guard; and the frustrated ambitions of Maxentius, the relegated son of Maximian.
