Galerius

Galerius (Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus, about 258 to May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. He took part in the system of government later called the Tetrarchy, first as caesar under the emperor Diocletian. In that period he won victories against the Sasanian Persian Empire, defeating Narseh at the battle of Satala in 298 and possibly sacking the Sasanian capital Ctesiphon in 299, and he campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300. When Diocletian abdicated in 305 Galerius became augustus, but he then had to deal with several usurpers as the Tetrarchic arrangement broke down. A firm opponent of Christianity, he nonetheless ended the Diocletianic Persecution by issuing the Edict of Serdica in 311, shortly before his death.