Marcus Valerius Maximianus
| Marcus Valerius Maximianusssssssss | |
|---|---|
Roman inscription on the castle rock in Trenčín
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| Born | Poetovio, modern-day Ptuj |
| Allegiance |
 Roman Empire
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| Service/ |
Roman army Roman navy |
| Rank | Legatus |
| Unit |
Classis Misenensis Classis Ravennatis Legio I Adiutrix Legio II Adiutrix Legio III Augusta Legio V Macedonica Legio XIII Gemina |
| Battles/wars | Revolt of Avidius Cassius, Battle of Laugaricio |
| Awards | Chieftain Valao's "horse, decorations and weapons" |
| Memorials | Inscriptions at Diana Veteranorum and Laugaricio |
| Relations | Marcus Valerius Maximianus, Censor (father) |
| Other work | Governor of Numidia, Suffect Consul, c. 186 |
Marcus Valerius Maximianus was an important Roman general of the period of the Marcomannic Wars during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. He was born (year unknown) in the Roman colony of Poetovio (modern Ptuj, in Slovenia), where his father, also called Marcus Valerius Maximianus, was a local censor and priest. He was decorated for services in the Parthian war of Lucius Verus and was appointed by Marcus Aurelius to ensure the armies in Pannonia were supplied by boats on the Danube.
No surviving ancient writer mentions Marcus Valerius Maximianus, although he was clearly a significant military figure. His career is known to us only from inscriptions, chiefly the one set up by the council of the colony of Diana Veteranorum (Zana) in Numidia when he was governor. The inscription set up in Laugaricio 179 AD (CIL III, 13439) also provides information:
He was placed in charge of detachments of the praetorian fleets of Misenum and Ravenna and also of African and Moorish cavalry used for scouting duties in Pannonia. While on active service with the cavalry Maximianus killed a Germanic chieftain named as "Valao, chief of the Naristi" with his own hand and was publicly praised by the Emperor, who granted him the chieftain's "horse, decorations and weapons". He was appointed prefect of the lance-bearing cavalry and was in charge of the cavalry on the expedition to Syria to quell the revolt of Avidius Cassius in 175. Maximianus was then appointed procurator of Moesia Inferior; at the same time he was given a command to drive out brigands from the borders of Macedonia and Thrace.
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