 Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge on October 28 , 312 . Maxentius died , and Italy came under Constantine 's rule . Eutropia swore on oath that Maxentius was not Maximian 's son , and Maximian 's memory was rehabilitated . His apotheosis under Maxentius was declared null and void , and he was re @-@ consecrated as a god , probably in 317 . He began appearing on Constantine 's coinage as divus , or divine , by 318 , together with the deified Constantius and Claudius Gothicus . The three were hailed as Constantine 's forbears . They were called " the best of emperors " . Through his daughters Fausta and Flavia , Maximian was grandfather or great @-@ grandfather to every reigning emperor from 337 to 363 . 
