Galerius Maximianus was born in 250 to a common family and began as a herdsman just like his father before him. During the reign of Aurelian and Probus he served as a distinguished soldier and was promoted in 293 to Caesar.
Upon the retirement of Diocletian and Maximian in 305, he and Constantius assumed the title of Augustus and thought his position secure until Constantine elevated in power upon the death of his father.
In 307 when an invasion against Italy was unsuccessful he passed his power onto his friend Licinius to become Augustus.
In 311 Galerius died in seclusion from what scientists have assume to be some sort of bowel cancer.