 Constantine entered Rome on 29 October 312 . He staged a grand adventus in the city , and was met with popular jubilation . Maxentius ' body was fished out of the Tiber and decapitated . His head was paraded through the streets for all to see . After the ceremonies , Maxentius ' disembodied head was sent to Carthage ; at this , Carthage would offer no further resistance . Unlike his predecessors , Constantine neglected to make the trip to the Capitoline Hill and perform customary sacrifices at the Temple of Jupiter . He did , however , choose to honor the Senatorial Curia with a visit , where he promised to restore its ancestral privileges and give it a secure role in his reformed government : there would be no revenge against Maxentius ' supporters . In response , the Senate decreed him " title of the first name " , which meant his name would be listed first in all official documents , and acclaimed him as " the greatest Augustus " . He issued decrees returning property lost under Maxentius , recalling political exiles , and releasing Maxentius ' imprisoned opponents . 
