Maxentius was the son of Emperor Maximian and his wife Eutropia. His birthday is unknown, but probably in 278 AD. In 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated. After much confusion, Maxentius was appointed emperor by officers of Rome's garrisons on October 28, 306 (6 years to the day, before he died!), and he happily usurped power. This was a time of Civil War, though, and Maxentius was defeated by Constantine at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312, during which he drowned in the Tiber River.

    

Statue of Maxentius, from the 4th century AD, in the museum in Ostia Antica
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• Built the Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum to honor his son, Valerius Romulus
• Began construction of the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum
• Reconstructed the Temple of Venus and Rome in the Roman Forum
• Built the Circus of Maxentius.
• Moved the Agonal Obelisk from the Temple of Serapis to the spina of the Circus of Maxentius.
• Remodeled and strengthened the Aurelian Wall.

• My Maxentius photos