 Constantine deployed his own forces along the whole length of Maxentius ' line . He ordered his cavalry to charge , and they broke Maxentius ' cavalry . He then sent his infantry against Maxentius ' infantry , pushing many into the Tiber where they were slaughtered and drowned . The battle was brief : Maxentius ' troops were broken before the first charge . Maxentius ' horse guards and praetorians initially held their position , but broke under the force of a Constantinian cavalry charge ; they also broke ranks and fled to the river . Maxentius rode with them , and attempted to cross the bridge of boats , but he was pushed by the mass of his fleeing soldiers into the Tiber , and drowned . 
