Galerius

Galerius. Galerius Valerius Maximianus, a Roman emperor, was born of humble parentage, near Sardica, in Dacia. Entering the imperial army, he rose rapidly to the highest ranks. In 292 Diocletian conferred on him the title of Cæsar, and gave him his daughter in marriage. In 296–7 he conducted a campaign against the Persians, in which, though not at first successful, he decisively defeated their king, Narses. On the abdication of Diocletian (305) he and Constantius Chlorus became joint-rulers of the Roman empire, Galerius taking the eastern half. When Constantius died at York (306) the troops in Britain and Gaul immediately transferred their allegiance to his son, Constantine (afterwards Constantine the Great). Galerius, however, retained possession of the east till his death in 311. Galerius was a brave soldier and a skilful commander; but he is believed to have forced Diocletian to issue his famous edict of persecution against the Christians.