In that year, Maxentius had declared war on Constantine, claiming to intend to avenge the death of his father Maximian (r. 285–308, 310), who had committed suicide after being defeated by him.

With the capture of the city after subjecting it to a siege,[2] the victorious emperor was able to continue his march through the interior of the peninsula until he reached Augusta Taurinorum, where he fought the Battle of Turin against the forces of Maxentius.

The following year, the young emperor assumed the title of Augustus, forcing his father Maximian to ratify it to give his rule the appearance of legitimacy.

When Flavius Severus died,[4][5] Galerius invaded Italy to try to avenge his death, but realizing that Maxentius would be trying to win over his army, he chose not to trust his own troops and withdrew.

When his intrigues were frustrated, Maximian Herculius returned to the side of his son-in-law Constantine in Gaul,[4] where he died in 310 after being implicated in a plot against him.

[6][7] The following year, Maxentius, demanding revenge for the death of his father, declared war on Constantine, who, in response, invaded northern Italy, mobilizing 40,000 soldiers, according to some sources.