Licinius in Roman Biography

Li-cin'i-us, (or le-sin'e-us,) (Flavius Valerius,) (called by some writers Pub'lius Fla'vius Gale'rius Valeria'nus Licinia'nus,) a Roman emperor, born in Dacia about 263 A.D., was originally a peasant. He rose to the rank of general in the army, and gained the favour of Galerius, who in 307 made him a partner in the empire, with the title of Augustus. In 313 he married Constantia, sister of Constantine the Great, and, having defeated Maximin, became master of all the Eastern provinces. A war soon ensued between him and Constantine, which ended in the complete defeat of Licinius at Chalcedon, near Byzantium, in 323. He was put to death by order of the victor in 324 a.d. He was notorious for cruelty and other vices. See Gibbon, "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."