Battle of Mardia

In the Battle of Mardia (also battle on campus Ardiensis ), the Roman Emperor Constantine fought end 316 or beginning of 317 ( the chronology is uncertain) against his rival Licinius.

Prehistory

After the death of Galerius in the spring of 311, the built by Diocletian system of Tetrarchy finally started to dissolve. After the defeat of Maxentius and the death of Maximinus Daia, the two remaining emperors Constantine and Licinius shared the rule of the Empire. Constantine got the west, while the eastern provinces Licinius reigned. However, the relationship between the two intermarried since the spring of 313 emperors remained tense and escalated in the wake of the scandal surrounding Constantine's brother and designated Caesar Bassianus. A first encounter at the Battle of Cibalae ended with a heavy defeat of Licinius, who had to withdraw to Thrace. Then he set a new force together under the command of Valerius Valens, he rose to the rank of Augustus. Licinius ' offers to negotiate met with Konstantin on deaf ears; this moved rather before about the Balkan Mountains and struck at Philippi or Philipp Opel his camp.

Battle Record

The opposing forces met on campus Ardiensis near the present town Charmanli in Bulgaria each other again. The very heavy losses for both sides battle was interrupted only by the falling darkness, to have brought without a clear decision. On the night of Licinius gathered his remaining troops and fled to the north-west in the direction of Beroe (Augusta Traiana ).

Follow

In the closed now with Constantinople Peace Treaty Licinius had to do without the Illyricum and thus lost most of his European dominions; only Thrace and Moesia remained under his control. On March 1, 317 Constantine's sons Crispus and Constantine were levied at Caesars, as Licinius ' son of the same. For Valerius Valens this agreement meant the death sentence.

Swell

• Anonymous Valesianus 5, 17