Chapter 28: The Conference of Old Men
The year 308 AD was a year of construction. While the rest of the Roman world convulsed with the struggles of his rivals, Constantine laid the foundations of his new order in stone and mortar. He initiated massive building projects in Trier, commissioning new baths, a larger forum, and reinforcing the city walls to a degree that made them all but impregnable. These projects served a dual purpose: they provided work for the populace and stood as undeniable symbols of his power and permanence, stamping his identity onto the capital of his Gallic domain. He governed with a steady, iron hand, and the provinces under his rule, from the cold mists of Britannia to the warm plains of Hispania, experienced a stability that was becoming a distant memory elsewhere.
He was reviewing architectural plans for a new basilica, its scale meant to dwarf any other in the north, when Valerius brought him the long-awaited news from the East. The great conference convened by Galerius had concluded. "It was at Carnuntum, on the Danube frontier," Valerius began, his tone sober. "Diocletian himself was coaxed from his retirement to preside."
Constantine did not look up from the plans, though his attention was now absolute. "A gathering of ghosts. What did they decree?"
"Maximian, your father-in-law, has been forced to abdicate a second time. He is once again a private citizen. Maxentius, his son, has been formally declared an enemy of the state." Valerius paused, choosing his next words carefully. "And you, Augustus... the conference has seen fit to grant you the title of Filius Augustorum, Son of the Augusti, recognizing you officially as Caesar of the West."
Constantine finally looked up, his single eye glinting with a cold, sardonic light. "Caesar," he repeated, the word tasting like ash. "So they demote me. They offer me a title that I have already surpassed, a rank that my legions and my victories have made irrelevant. A scrap from their table."
"There is more," Valerius continued, his face grim. "The position of Augustus of the West, left vacant by the death of Severus, has been filled." "By whom?"
"A man named Licinius. An old comrade-in-arms of Galerius, from Dacia. A tough, experienced soldier. Diocletian and Galerius have named him Augustus."