This Day in History (May 21st) Galerius #history

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]On this day in history, May 21st, 293, Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian appoint Galerius as Caesar to Diocletian, beginning the period of four rulers known as the Tetrarchy. Included in the following is an excerpt from the 1944 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica going over the history of the Caesar.

[00:00:20]Galerius, or Galerius Valerius Maximianus, Roman Emperor from 305 AD to 311, was born near Sardica in Thrace. He served with distinction as a soldier under Aurelian and Probus, and in 293 was designated Caesar along with Constantius Chlorus. In 305, on the abdication of Diocletian and Maximianus, he at once assumed the title of Augustus with Constantius, his former colleague, and having procured the promotion to the rank of Caesar of Flavius Valerius Severus, a faithful servant, and Daia Maximianus, his nephew, he hoped on the death of Constantius to become sole ruler of the Roman world. This scheme, however, was defeated by the sudden elevation of Constantine at Eboracum, York, on the death of his father, and by the action of Maximianus and Maxentius in Italy. In 307, he elevated his friend Licinius to the rank of Augustus and devoted the remaining years of his life to the enjoyment of pleasure and to the execution of some works of public utility.

[00:01:27]It was at his instance that the first of the celebrated edicts of persecution against the Christians was published on February 24th, 303, and his policy of repression was maintained by him until the appearance of the general edict of toleration, 311, issued in his own name and in those of Licinius and Constantine. He died May 311.