If you are interested in learning more about one of the most controversial Roman emperors, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, I will give you a brief biography of Emperor Galerius, who ruled from 305 to 311 AD. I will cover his early life, his military achievements, his persecution of Christians, and his death and legacy.

Galerius was born around 250 AD in a small village near Serdica (modern Sofia) in the province of Dacia Ripensis. His father was a peasant and his mother, Romula, was a native of the lands beyond the Danube. Galerius grew up as a shepherd and earned the nickname Armentarius, meaning “cattle-dealer”. He joined the Roman army as a young man and rose through the ranks by his courage and skill.

In 293 AD, he was chosen by Emperor Diocletian as his Caesar (junior emperor) and son-in-law. He married Diocletian’s daughter, Valeria, and was assigned to rule the eastern part of the empire. He proved himself as a capable commander and administrator, leading successful campaigns against the Persians, the Carpians, and other enemies on the eastern and northern frontiers. He also reformed the tax system and built many public works, such as roads, bridges, aqueducts, and fortifications.

However, Galerius is also remembered for his fierce opposition to Christianity, which he regarded as a threat to the stability and unity of the empire. He persuaded Diocletian to initiate a series of persecutions against the Christians in 303 AD, which lasted for eight years and resulted in many deaths, tortures, confiscations, and demolitions of churches. Galerius himself was notorious for his cruelty and intolerance towards the followers of Christ.

In 305 AD, Diocletian and his co-emperor Maximian abdicated their thrones and appointed Galerius as Augustus (senior emperor) of the East. Galerius then tried to impose his authority over the whole empire, but faced resistance from several rivals and usurpers, such as Constantine, Maxentius, Licinius, and Maximinus Daia. The empire was plunged into civil war and chaos for several years.

In 311 AD, Galerius fell ill with a mysterious and painful disease that caused him to suffer greatly. Some sources claim that he was afflicted by a divine punishment for his persecution of Christians. On his deathbed, he issued an edict of toleration that granted freedom of worship to all religions, including Christianity. He died soon after in Serdica and was buried at his palace in Felix Romuliana (modern Gamzigrad).

Galerius was a complex and contradictory figure in Roman history. He was a brave soldier, a competent ruler, a loyal son-in-law, but also a ruthless persecutor, a proud tyrant, and an ambitious schemer. His legacy is mixed and controversial. Some historians praise him for his achievements and reforms, while others condemn him for his atrocities and failures. What do you think of him? Let me know in the comments below.