| Licinius, Valerius Licinianus |
 
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Licinius, Valerius Licinianus (um 250 bis 325), römischer Kaiser (308-324). 308 wurde Licinius von Kaiser Galerius (250-311) zum Augustus erhoben und herrschte zunächst in Pannonien und Rätien. Er geriet in Konflikt mit Galerius' Neffen Maximinus Daia; mit Galerius erließ er 311 ein Toleranzedikt, um die Christen im Machtbereich des Maximinus für sich einzunehmen. Nach Galerius' Tod erweiterte Maximinus seinen Herrschaftsbereich auf Kosten des Licinus, der sich daraufhin mit Konstantin dem Großen zusammenschloss. 313 schlug Licinius Maximinus bei Adrianopel und war nun Alleinherrscher im Ostteil des Reiches. Licinius' Machtstreben führte zum Krieg mit Konstantin, an den er 314 beinahe den ganzen Balkan verlor. Gegen Konstantins Toleranzpolitik gegenüber den Christen nahm Licinius den Kampf gegen die Christen wieder auf; um 320 verschärften sich die Spannungen zwischen Licinus und Konstantin zusehends, und 324 brach erneut ein Krieg zwischen den beiden Kaisern aus. 324 wurde Licinius bei Adrianopel und bei Chrysopolis geschlagen, gefangen genommen, nach Saloniki (Thessalonike) verbannt und dort 325 hingerichtet.
Licinius, Valerius Licinianus (?-325), Roman emperor (308-324); co-ruler with the emperor Constantine the Great. In 308 the emperor Galerius conferred the title of Augustus on Licinius, and initially he ruled just Pannonia. However, on the death of Galerius in 311, Licinius acquired his territory in Europe. This left the emperor Constantine with two rival contenders for power within the empire, Licinius and Maximinus Daia (the nephew of Galerius), who ruled much of the eastern part of the empire. Initially Constantine attempted to convey a nonagressive, amicable approach towards both men. In 313 he married his half-sister Constantia to Licinius in a gesture of friendship, and the two men jointly issued the Edict of Milan, which called for religious tolerance. Constantine then left Licinius and Maximinus to contest dominance of the eastern half of the empire, and in 313 Licinius overcame Maximinus, and acquired the territory previously held by the latter.
Although Licinius and Constantine subsequently ruled together as coemperors for a period of 11 years, the alliance was an uneasy one. There were inconclusive power struggles during this period: for instance, in 316 a preliminary clash took place at Cibalea, after which the two Augusti were again apparently reconciled, declaring their three sons Caesars on March 1, 317. In 324 Constantine finally forced Licinius to surrender, having defeated him at Adrianople and Chrysopolis. Licinius was exiled to Thessalonica, and subsequently executed.
Licinius, Valerius Licinianus (?-325), Roman emperor (308-324); co-ruler with the emperor Constantine the Great. In 308 the emperor Galerius conferred the title of Augustus on Licinius, and initially he ruled just Pannonia. However, on the death of Galerius in 311, Licinius acquired his territory in Europe. This left the emperor Constantine with two rival contenders for power within the empire, Licinius and Maximinus Daia (the nephew of Galerius), who ruled much of the eastern part of the empire. Initially Constantine attempted to convey a nonagressive, amicable approach towards both men. In 313 he married his half-sister Constantia to Licinius in a gesture of friendship, and the two men jointly issued the Edict of Milan, which called for religious tolerance. Constantine then left Licinius and Maximinus to contest dominance of the eastern half of the empire, and in 313 Licinius overcame Maximinus, and acquired the territory previously held by the latter. Although Licinius and Constantine subsequently ruled together as coemperors for a period of 11 years, the alliance was an uneasy one. There were inconclusive power struggles during this period: for instance, in 316 a preliminary clash took place at Cibalea, after which the two Augusti were again apparently reconciled, declaring their three sons Caesars on March 1, 317. In 324 Constantine finally forced Licinius to surrender, having defeated him at Adrianople and Chrysopolis. Licinius was exiled to Thessalonica, and subsequently executed.
| Quelle: Microsoft Encarta |
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