[2] On approaching the important city of Augusta Taurinorum (Turin), Constantine encountered a Maxentian army which prominently included a force of heavily armoured cavalry, called clibanarii or cataphractarii in the ancient sources.

As his army outflanked that of the enemy, Constantine's more lightly armoured and mobile cavalry were able to make repeated charges on the exposed flanks of the Maxentian cataphracts.

Other cities of the north Italian plain, recognising Constantine's military prowess and his favourable treatment of the civil population, sent him embassies of congratulation for his victory.

[9] He routed an enemy cavalry force camped near Brescia, and later won a major battle at Verona, where Maxentius' most senior general, Ruricius Pompeianus, was killed.

After Maxentian resistance in northern Italy had been overcome, Constantine marched on Rome, where he defeated and killed Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.