Constantine Caesar was advancing his legions through the northern Italian mountains toward Rome. Despite his recent military victories in Europe, this was not some triumphal parade preparing to celebrate in the imperial capital. Indeed, his most recent victory had come against Pompeianus, the chief general defending Maxentius Augustus in Rome. Constantine was embroiled in a brutal civil war against Maxentius, and as he advanced against the heavily fortified city of Rome itself the ultimate outcome was anything but certain.
