Maxentius, Latin in full Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius. His father, the emperor Maximian, abdicated with Diocletian in 305. In the new tetrarchy (two augusti with a caesar under each) that was set up after these abdications, Maxentius was passed over in favour of Flavius Valerius Severus, who was made a caesar and then, in 306, an augustus.