Galerius

Galerius (* 250, † 311 in Serdica ), Gaius Galerius Valerius full name Maximianus, was a Roman Emperor. First, he was 293-305 subordinate co-emperor ( Caesar ) in the first Tetrarchy until 305 he rose to Augustus. Until his death in 311 he sought (see resolution of the Roman Tetrarchy ) to get the tetrarchische system, which had since the elevation of Constantine 306 in a crisis.

Life

Climb to Kaiser

Galerius was the (not always reliable ) according to tradition, an Illyrian shepherd, and came, according to Eutropius from the area of ​​Serdica. Because of excavations Galerius ' birthplace in 1984 could be accurately determined. It is located around 160 kilometers from Serdica away near the Serbian town Zaječar today and today only from monumental ruins: At the point where lay his native village, Galerius later built a residence and named this in honor of his mother Romuliana. Born around 250, he began his military career apparently under Emperor Aurelian and Probus was also later. Galerius rose to be the highest honors.

To get more security in the kingdom and especially to ensure for the Empire, the responsibility of the provinces under four sovereigns should be divided in the late 3rd century. The system of the Tetrarchy saw that two senior Augusti two younger, distinguished by their bravery Caesares are provided as a helper to the side. Emperor Diocletian appointed Maximian in 286, who acted as his reign of Emperor since 285, the Augustus of the West, and both had henceforth formally held the same rank. As Caesars, 293 - either simultaneously or at intervals of a few weeks - Constantius I and Galerius used.

On May 21, 293 Galerius was appointed by the Emperor Diocletian in the wake of the establishment of the Tetrarchy as co-emperor ( Caesar ) to the east of the empire. Galerius left his first wife and married Valeria, daughter of Diocletian. 294 Galerius fought in Egypt and since 296 against the Sassanid against which he first suffered a defeat. However, 298 he defeated the Persian king Narseh what Rome brought greater territorial gains at the Peace of Nisibis. For his achievements, he is a triumphal arch was erected in honor of his residence in the city of Thessaloniki.

When Galerius took the place of the retired Diocletian Augustus in May 305, his power seemed to be bigger than ever. Immediately he reigned, with the support of his new Caesars Maximinus Daia, an extensive empire, which extended over the whole of the Balkans and Asia Minor. At the same time Constantius I. had risen in the west to the ( senior) Augustus, whose office sat as was now occupied by the Caesar Severus. But when Constantius I. 306 already died and then Constantine, son of Constantius, and 307 Maxentius, the scion of the former Augustus Maximian, appeared as usurpers, became the formerly stable tetrarchische rule system out of balance. In many cases modern historians see as the crucial mistake of Galerius, at first to have taken a clear position against Constantine: Neither of these was recognized as Augustus, still gave Galerius command to act militarily against him. Instead, he accepted him as Caesar. Neither satisfied but this Constantine's ambition, nor frightened them imitators, as just Maxentius, from. Galerius, since the death of Constantius senior Augustus, strove in vain ultimately to a preservation of the system: the 308 at the conference of Carnuntum painstakingly restored Tetrarchy disintegrated after the death of Galerius 311. His son Candidianus was eliminated 313 of Licinius.

Galerius and the Christians

Galerius applies, at least according to the Christian Lactantius, traditionally regarded as the instigator of the Great persecution of Christians under Diocletian (since 303) and led in any event, even after his resignation 305 as his successor in the office of Augustus alongside Constantius († 306) initially continued. On April 30, 311, shortly before his death, but he possessed an edict of tolerance: the persecution of Christians was through the adoption ended and Christianity as religio licita ( permitted religion ) by the Christians allowed meetings, unless they disturbed the public order. Also approved - rather commanded - the adoption of the dying emperor, the restoration of Christian churches. By the Edict of Toleration "Christians for the first time in the history of legally recognized in some way " were ( Grant).

Lactantius and other Christian church teachers and apologists portray Galerius as a villain and monster, the more reliable sources indicate that he was not feeling well. Although he was, probably due to its simple origin, commonly known as uncouth, as a man who lacked the courtly cut; on the other hand he was but also described as active, well-intentioned and just.

Representation

Embodied Galerius at a young age apparently a handsome man of sturdy build, so took its shape with time to fill. This can be helpful in distinguishing the portraits of Galerius as Caesar from later than Augustus. Featured is his portrait by a usually rough machining, his strong neck and the previously mentioned characteristic forehead wrinkles. In most cases, Galerius has a beard. For portraits without one is sometimes assumed that this was his - but was only shortly before his death - due toleration of Christianity, but this remains speculative, because sympathy for Christianity also reveals the Edict not. The strict, uniform definition of hair, straight nose, wide-open eyes with strongly raised eyebrows, some approaches of a slight double chin as well as the straight-running hairline are characteristic of the portrait of the emperor. Overall, prevails in his portrait harmony in composition, his expression conveys a tense, suspicious scrutiny.

The Picture of Galerius not only appears on some plastic monuments, but also on coins. Sense of support, such as eyes and ears are strongly emphasized, the hair is indicated by parallel lines, his neck has an enormous extent, and the typical front motif is clearly visible even on these small image -makers. Because of these characteristics, it was possible for the ancient people to identify their emperor, although his name is certainly indicated in the inscription of the coin. Coins that were important information sources and are, allowed the rulers of a representation of themselves through the rapid spread of cash knew within a short time every Roman citizen about the appearance of the reigning emperor and its ongoing programs know and then the coin was as a propaganda agent well suited.

The simplification of structures, such as that encountered the portrait of Galerius, also met with portraits of unknown people of that time. Initially, it is due to a changing shape of language and not (yet) a slowdown in workmanship.

Swell

A few sources report the reign of Galerius. Important are the various late antique Breviarien, historical fragments ( Petros Patrikios ), coins, inscriptions, papyri and archaeological findings. Furthermore, the historical work of the Byzantine Johannes Zonaras, the sources from late antiquity approaching, thus the lost part today.