Magnus Maximus
| Magnus Maximus | |||||
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| Emperor of the Western Roman Empire | |||||
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| Reign | 383–384 (usurper against Gratian), 384–387 (Augustus in the west), 387 – August 28, 388 (against Valentinian II and Theodosius I) | ||||
| Predecessor | Gratian | ||||
| Successor | Theodosius I | ||||
| Born | ca. 335 Hispania |
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| Died | August 28, 388 Aquileia |
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| Wife |
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| Issue |
Flavius Victor, two daughters |
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| Full name | |
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| Flavius Magnus Maximus |
Magnus Maximus (Latin: Flavius Magnus Maximus Augustus, Welsh: Macsen Wledig) (ca. 335 – August 28, 388) was Western Roman Emperor from 383 to 388.
In 383, as commander of Britain, he usurped the throne against emperor Gratian, and by negotiation with emperor Theodosius I, he was made emperor in Britannia and Gaul the next year while Gratian's brother Valentinian II retained Italy, Pannonia, Hispania, and Africa. In 387, Maximus' ambitions led him to invade Italy, resulting in his defeat by Theodosius I at the Battle of the Save in 388. In the view of some historians, his death marked the end of direct imperial presence in Northern Gaul and Britain.
Maximus was born c. 335 in Gallaecia, on the estates of Count Theodosius (the Elder), to whom he was a nephew, and Flavius Iulius Eucherius son, and Marcellinus brother. Near contemporaries described his dignity as offended when lesser men were promoted to high positions.
Maximus was a distinguished general, who served under Count Theodosius in Africa in 373 and on the Danube in 376. It is likely he also may have been a junior officer in Britain in 368, during the quelling of the Great Conspiracy. Assigned to Britain in 380, he defeated an incursion of the Picts and Scots in 381.
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