Licinius II

Lore & Background

Licinius II was born to Flavia Julia Constantia in July or August 315. In 316, while his father Licinius I marched against Constantine, the infant was left with his mother and the imperial treasury at Sirmium. After Licinius I's defeat at the Battle of Cibalae, the family fled to Hadrianopolis, and later peace terms led to Licinius II being raised to caesar on 1 March 317, alongside Constantine's sons Crispus and Constantine II. He was then about 20 months old.

Licinius II was made consul in 319 with his uncle Constantine, and again in 321 in the east with his father, while Constantine and Crispus held the consulship in the west. His quinquennalia was celebrated on 1 March 321, for which the Munich Treasure—including silver bowls with portraits of the two emperors—was produced. He retained the title of caesar until his father's surrender in September 324, after which he was stripped of the rank.

Following Licinius I's execution in 325, Licinius II was executed by Constantine in 326 at Pola, possibly in the context of the execution of Crispus. Both father and son suffered damnatio memoriae, with their names erased from official inscriptions.

Reader's Guide

Licinius II's significance lies in his role as a dynastic pawn in the power struggles of the late Tetrarchy. Elevated as caesar at an infant age to cement a fragile peace between his father and Constantine, his existence symbolized the uneasy truce that followed the Cibalensean War. His consulships and quinquennalia celebrations were tools of imperial propaganda, intended to project stability and continuity. However, his execution after his father's downfall illustrates the brutal logic of Roman civil war: even a nephew of the victor could not be spared if he represented a potential rival. The damnatio memoriae that erased his name from inscriptions underscores how thoroughly his memory was suppressed. The later reference to a 'Liciniani filius' in the Codex Theodosianus—likely an illegitimate half-brother—shows that the family's legacy was further complicated by legal and social degradation. Licinius II's brief life and violent end exemplify the precariousness of imperial heirs in an era of shifting alliances and ruthless consolidation of power.

Did You Know?

• Licinius II was only about 20 months old when he was raised to the rank of caesar on 1 March 317.
• He was twice Roman consul: in 319 with Constantine I, and in 321 with his father in the east.
• The Munich Treasure, including silver largitio bowls, was made for his quinquennalia celebration on 1 March 321.
• He was executed by his uncle Constantine in 326 at Pola, possibly in connection with the execution of Crispus.