ANUS), Roman emperor from A.D. 305 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 Con stantius his former colleague, and having procured the promotion to the rank of Caesar of Flavius Valerius Severus, a faithful serv ant, and Daia (Maximinus), his nephew, he hoped on the death of Constantius to become sole master of the Roman world. This scheme, however, was defeated by the sudden elevation of Con stantine at Eboracum (York) on the death of his father, and by the action of Maximianus and Maxentius in Italy. In 307 he ele vated 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." It was at his instance that the first of the celebrated edicts of persecution against the Christians was published, on Feb. 24, 303, and this 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 in May 311.
See Zosimus ii. ; Zonaras xii. ; Eutropius ix. 24, x. 1.