MAXIMIAN, a gigantic soldier, who signalized his accession by subduing
a dangerous revolt in Gaul. He also appointed two officers, GALERIUS
and CONSTANTIUS, whom he called CAESARS,--one to have charge of the
East, and the other of the West. By means of these assistants he
crushed all revolts, strengthened the waning power of the Empire, and
imposed peace and good order upon the world.

Diocletian and Maximian afterwards resigned, and allowed their two
Caesars to assume the rank of AUGUSTI, and they in their turn
appointed Caesars as assistants.

Soon after his accession Constantius died, and his son CONSTANTINE
was proclaimed Caesar, against the wishes of Galerius. A bitter struggle
followed, in which Constantine finally overcame all his opponents, and
was declared sole Emperor. For his successes he was named the GREAT.


CONSTANTINE THE GREAT (306-337).

Constantine determined to build for his Empire a new capital, which
should be worthy of him. He selected the site of BYZANTIUM as offering
the greatest advantages; for, being defended on three sides by the sea
and the Golden Horn, it could easily be made almost impregnable, while
as a seaport its advantages were unrivalled,--a feature not in the
least shared by Rome. The project was entered upon with energy; the
city was built, and named CONSTANTINOPLE. To people it, the seat of
government was permanently removed thither, and every inducement was
offered to immigration. Thus was born the GREEK EMPIRE, destined to
drag out a miserable existence for nearly a thousand years after Rome
had fallen a prey to the barbarians. Its founder died, after a reign