Agathocles of Syracuse vs Maximian

Agathocles returned from exile and, with a mercenary army, overthrew the oligarchic government of Syracuse. He massacred thousands of wealthy citizens and established himself as tyrant, ruling Syracuse for the next 28 years.

Agathocles launched a daring invasion of Carthage's North African homeland while Syracuse was besieged by a Carthaginian army. He burned his ships to motivate his troops and won several battles, forcing Carthage to recall forces from Sicily.

Agathocles suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of White Tunis against a Carthaginian army led by Hamilcar. The loss forced him to abandon his African campaign and return to Sicily, ending his attempt to conquer Carthage.

Agathocles was poisoned by his grandson Archagathus, who feared being passed over for succession. His death led to the collapse of his empire in Sicily and southern Italy, as his generals and enemies quickly divided his territories.

Diocletian appointed Maximian as Caesar (junior emperor) to govern the Western provinces. This was part of Diocletian's reorganization of the empire, creating a dyarchy. Maximian was given the task of suppressing revolts in Gaul and defending the Rhine frontier.

Maximian campaigned against the Bagaudae rebels in Gaul and later against the usurper Carausius in Britain. He failed to defeat Carausius, who established a breakaway empire in Britain and northern Gaul. The campaign demonstrated the limits of Maximian's military success.

Diocletian elevated Maximian to the rank of Augustus, making him co-emperor of the West. Maximian adopted the title Herculius, symbolizing his role as the active, laboring partner to Diocletian's Jovian. This formalized the division of the empire into two halves.

Maximian abdicated as Augustus alongside Diocletian in a coordinated ceremony at Milan. He retired to a villa in Lucania, but his retirement was forced by Diocletian's plan for an orderly succession. Maximian resented his loss of power and later attempted to reclaim the throne.

After multiple failed attempts to regain power, including a rebellion against Constantine, Maximian was captured at Massilia. Constantine spared his life but forced him to commit suicide. Maximian hanged himself, ending the life of the former co-emperor of the Tetrarchy.