Maximian

  • Maximian (285-308 CE) was co-Emperor in the West with Diocletian in the East Dduring the Tetrarchy (293-324 CE).

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

  • NAME:
    • Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus
  • MAXIMIAN’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
    • July 285 CE to 02 April 286 CE: As Caesar under Diocletian‘s Tetrarchy.
    • 2 April 286 CE to 1 May 305 CE: As Emperor of the West.
    • 28 October 306 CE to 11 November 308 CE: Declared himself Emperor in opposition to Constantine I
  • MAXIMIAN’S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
    • Born in c. 250 CE. Died in July 310 CE.
  • PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • MAXIMIAN’S PREDECESSOR:
  • MAXIMIAN’S SUCCESSOR:
  • HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
    • He was Proclaimed Caesar and Co-Emperor by Diocletian
  • DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
    • Forced by Constantine I to commit suicide by hanging himself in July 310 CE.
  • WHERE BURIED:
    • Unknown.
  • MAXIMIAN WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
    • He associated himself with Hercules.
    • A Damnatio Memoriae was passed on him.
    • The Massacre of the Theban Legion of 6,666 men in 286 CE, recorded in Christian Hagiography.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

Rise to Power

Proclaimed Caesar by Diocletian (285 CE)

  • The Diarchy:
  • Diocletian realised from the beginning that attempting to rule the Empire single handed would lead to revolts. Therefore he created the Diarchy (The Rule of two) in 285 CE, creating Maximian ‘Caesar’ of the Western Empire, whilst Diocletian was ‘Augustus’ of the Eastern Empire. In 286 CE, Maximian was also promoted to ‘Augustus’, either by Diocletian, or by himself to position himself above Carausius, his deputy.
  • The Tetrarchy:
  • Later, in 293 CE, Diocletian created two more Caesars, giving each ‘Augustus’ a deputy. This became known as the Tetrarchy.

Revolt of the Bagaudae, Gaul

  • A Revolt by the Bagaudae, a Gallic tribe resident in Gaul, needed to be put down. Diocletian sent Maximian to eliminate the threat, which he did. However, there were no victory celebrations, as these were the Empire’s own citizens who had been crushed.

Germanic Invasion (285 CE)

  • Whilst Maximian was busy quelling the revolt of the Bagaudae, Gaul was invaded in the fall of 285 CE by two German armies. One was an alliance of the Alemanni and Burgundi, and the other an alliance of the Chaibones and Heruli.
  • Both armies were successfully defeated and crushed, and Maximian then established his headquarters on the Rhine.

Carausian Revolt (286-296 CE)

  • Carausius was from the Menapii tribe in Germania Inferior. He started out as a pilot, navigating vessels to shore.
  • In 286 CE, He was part of Maximian’s campaign against the Bagaudae in northern Gaul, where he acquitted himself favourably. As a result, Maximian made him Commander of the Fleet in the North Sea, the Classis Britannica, with instructions to defeat the Saxon and Frankish pirates, and reinforce the Saxon Shore Forts.
  • The Britannic Empire is declared:
  • However, in 287 or 288 CE, Maximian learnt that Carausius was working with the pirates, and not against them. As a consequence, he ordered Carausius‘ execution. On hearing of his imminent demise, Carausius declared Britannia independent, and himself as ‘Emperor of the North’.
  • The Carausian Revolt (286-296 CE). 13 years after the demise of the Gallic Empire, Carausius seceded Britannia from Rome, along with northern Gaul.
  • He held the three British Legions, the British Fleet, and another Legion from Gaul, along with various mercenary units.

Maximian moves to Gaul (288 CE)

  • Maximian mustered an invasion force in 288-289 CE. However, an attempted invasion of Britannia in 289 CE, failed, Maximian was obliged to stand down.

Maximian is appointed Augustus (286 CE)

  • 1 April 286 CE, Maximian is proclaimed Augustus to give him higher legal authority to challenge Carausius.
  • This implies equality with Diocletian, but Diocletian appears to approve.

Campaign against the Burgundi and Alemanni (285-288 CE)

  • Unable to invade Britannia, Maximian decided to consolidate the Rhine Frontier instead. He attacked the Alemanni and Burgundi, and after destroying their armies, went on to attack and destroy the armies of the Chaibones and Heruli. With the internal threat removed, Maximian crossed the Rhine and by 287 CE, had wrought devastation deep into their tribal homelands.

Campaign against the Alemanni with Diocletian (288 CE)

  • In a two pronged attack, Maximian invaded the Agri Decumates, and Diocletian invaded Germany via Raetia. As they advanced, they burnt crops and destroyed towns and cities, laying waste to the Alemanni territory.
  • Afterwards, the Rhine Frontier (limes) was rebuilt, as were the bridges, towns and roads along the Rhine. A rebuilt road from Bavay to the Rhine Frontier, allowed for rapid deployment of troops when necessary.

War against the Franks

  • The Franks controlled the Rhine Estuary, and were allies of Carausius. Maximian set out to break their control of the sea. He advanced through Frankish territory burning and destroying every crop and settlement until the Frankish King, Gennobaudes, surrendered.
  • Maximian accepted an oath of loyalty from Gennobaudes, which brought with it the loyalty of his Frankish Chiefs. This removed Carausius‘ chief ally, clearing the way for an invasion of Britannia.

Failed invasion of Britannia (289 CE)

  • Maximian then undertook an invasion of Britannia, but nothing is known of the Campaign. Instead, Maximian had to accept Carausius, but he never officially acknowledged his rule. Diocletian raced back from the East, and the two Emperors met to discuss strategy at Milan in January 291 CE.

The Tetrarchy

  • On the 1 March 293 CE, in Milan, Diocletian proclaimed Constantius I Chlorus as Caesar to act as deputy to Maximian, and Galerius as Caesar, to act as deputy to himself. This replace the ‘Rule of Two’ (Diarchy) with the ‘Rule of Four’, The Tetrarchy.

Recapture of Northern Gaul (293 CE)

Successful invasion of Britannia (296 CE)

  • Constantius I Chlorus was specifically given the task of defeating Carausius and retake Britannia. His Legions moved into Gaul, capturing Boulogne and retaking the Rhine Delta.
  • However, before he could build a fleet to invade Britannia, Carausius was assassinated by Allectus his finance minister. Allectus then ruled Britannia for another three years.
  • Finally, an invasion fleet sailed in 296 CE from Boulogne, commanded by Constantius I Chlorus, and another fleet sailed in fog around the Isle of Wight, commanded by Julius Asclepiodotus. The fleets landed their armies who combined to catch Allectus in a pincer near Silchester. Somewhere near here Allectus was killed and his army destroyed, and Britannia was returned to Roman Rule.

War against the Berbers Tribes in North Africa (297 CE)

  • Since 289 CE, The Governor of Mauretania Caesariensis had been overrun by attacks from the Berber Tribes of the Bavares and the Quinquegentiani. In 296 CE, Maximian assembled his legions and marched down through Spain, and passing Gibraltar, crossed over into Mauretania Tingitana.
  • By March 297 CE, Maximian had already successfully destroyed the Berber forces. After wintering in Carthage, he set out in 298 CE, pushing the Berbers past their homeland in the Atlas Mountains, and deep into the Sahara. He celebrated his success when he returned to Carthage on 10 March.
  • By 299 CE Maximian was back in Rome and he celebrated defeating the Berbers with a Roman Triumph.

Retirement (305 CE)

  • After several years relaxing in Italy, on the 1 May 305 CE, Maxentius and Diocletian announced their joint retirement. Instead of Maximius’ son, Maxentius being appointed Caesar, the titles went to two experienced Commanders who were close to Galerius, Severus and Maximinus (his nephew). This gave Galerius clear superiority over Maximian.

Revolt of Maxentius (306 CE)

  • On the 25 July 306 CE, Constantius I Chlorus died and his son, Constantine I became Augustus in the West. Galerius then successfully negotiated to offer the title of Caesar to Constantine, and instead give the title of Augustus to Severus
  • On the 28 October 306 CE, Maxentius proclaimed himself Augustus, and his father Maximian as well.
  • Galerius immediately sent an army under Severus to Rome to topple Maxentius. However, Maximian had fortified Rome, captured Severus when his troops defected, and held him hostage in a villa. Galerius himself then approached Rome with another army, but was forced to retreat.
  • In late 307 CE in Trier, Constantine I married Maximian’s daughter Fausta, and was declared Augustus by Maximian, sealing an alliance between the two.
  • Maximian then returned to Rome, but had to leave Italy by 308 CE after a disagreement with his son, Maxentius.
  • Finally, on 11 November 308 CE, Galerius summoned Diocletian and the other Caesarii and Augustii at the Council of Carnuntum. Maximian was forced to abdicate again. All agreed to Constantine I being demoted to Caesar in the West, Maximinus being made Caesar in the East. Licinius as Augustus of the West, with Galerius still Augustus of the East.
  • Maximian returned to Trier. And, in 310 CE, Maximinus and Constantine were proclaimed Augustii after refusing to accept the title of Caesar.

Maximian’s Rebellion against Constantine I (310 CE)

  • Whilst Constantine I was campaigning against the Franks, Maximian was sent south to Arles to defend against a possible invasion by Maxentius. Instead, Maximian proclaimed himself Emperor. Constantine I immediately left his campaign against the Franks, headed south and captured Maximian at Marseille.
  • In July 310 CE, Maximian hanged himself rather than be executed.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

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285 CE
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