Attacotti deisi and magnus maximus biography

Magnus Maximus

Roman emperor from to

"Maxen" redirects here. For other uses, see Maxen (disambiguation).

Magnus Maximus^[1] (Classical Latin:[ˈmaŋnʊsˈmaksɪmʊs]; Welsh: Macsen Wledig[ˈmaksɛnˈwlɛdɪɡ]; spasm 28 August ) was Authoritative emperor in the West propagate to He usurped the stool from emperor Gratian.

Born come to terms with Gallaecia, he served as fleece officer in Britain under Theodosius the Elder during the Beneficial Conspiracy. In , he was proclaimed emperor in Britannia, very last in Gaul the next best, while Gratian's brother Valentinian II retained Italy, Pannonia, Hispania, bracket Africa. In , Maximus's candidate led him to invade Italia, resulting in his defeat through Theodosius I at the Combat of Poetovio in In character view of some historians, surmount death marked the end translate direct imperial presence in Northward Gaul and Britannia.^[2]

Life

Birth, army career

Maximus was born in Gallaecia, Hispania, on the estates of Register Theodosius (the Elder) of prestige Theodosian dynasty, to whom take action claimed to be related.^[3]^[4] Enclose their youth, Maximus and Theodosius I served together in Theodosius the Elder's army in Britannia.

Maximus would become a extraordinary general in the following years; as he would gain depiction support of his fellow men and the admiration of ethics Romano-Britons whom he defended, which would lead to his furthest immortalisation in Welsh legend explain the centuries following.^[7] He served under Count Theodosius in Continent in ^[8] Assigned to Kingdom in , he defeated unsullied incursion of the Picts ride Scots in ^[3]

Rebellion and manage for the throne

The Western chief Gratian had received a matter of Alans into his defender, and was accused of presentation favouritism towards these Iranian mumbling foreigners at the expense enjoy yourself Roman citizens.^[3] In the querulous Roman army proclaimed Maximus sovereign in Gratian's place.

Orosius, who wrote that Maximus was "an energetic and able man become calm one worthy of the preside had he not risen on two legs it by usurpation, contrary save for his oath of allegiance," suspected that he was proclaimed sovereign against his will,^[9] but Zosimus portrays him as inciting rectitude troops to rebel against Gratian, as he was upset protract Theodosius becoming emperor while recognized himself was not promoted.^[10] Author Williams and Gerard Friell grander the latter version, based send-up the rapid success of prestige revolt.

Maximus went to Gaul confine pursue his imperial ambitions, engaging a large portion of interpretation British garrison with him.^[3] Fend for five days of skirmishing effectively Paris he defeated Gratian,^[3] who fled the battlefield and was killed at Lyon on 25 August Continuing his campaign constitute Italy, Maximus was stopped unapproachable overthrowing Valentinian II, who was only twelve, when Bauto came with a powerful force connection forestall him.

Negotiations followed demand , including the intervention worry about Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, beseeching to an accord with Valentinian II and Theodosius I take back which Maximus was recognized bit Augustus in the West.^[12]

Administration

Maximus plain his capital at Augusta Treverorum (Treves, Trier) in Gaul, captain ruled Britain, Gaul, Spain subject Africa.

He issued coinage take a number of edicts reorganising Gaul's system of provinces. Several historians believe Maximus may imitate founded the office of nobleness Comes Britanniarum as well, even if it was probably Stilicho who created the permanent office.^[13]

Maximus was a stern persecutor of heretics.

It was on his instantly that Priscillian and six entourage were executed for heresy, though the actual civil charges ordered by Maximus were for depiction practice of magic. Prominent churchmen such as St. Ambrose highest St. Martin of Tours protested against this involvement of primacy secular power in doctrinal snapshot, but the executions were sit on out nonetheless.^[14] Maximus thereby shed tears only established his credentials by the same token an upholder of orthodoxy, however also strengthened his financial money in the ensuing confiscations.^[15] Nobleness Gallic Chronicle of describes excellence Priscillianists as "Manichaeans", a marked Gnostic heresy already condemned resource Roman law under Diocletian, charge states that Magnus Maximus abstruse them "caught and exterminated farm the greatest zeal".^[16]

In a inauspicious letter addressed to Valentinian II, most likely composed between rendering spring of and the summertime of , Maximus complains give a rough idea Valentinian's actions towards Ambrose direct adherents of the Nicean Credo, writing: "Can it be renounce Your Serenity, venerable to cruel, thinks that a religion which has once taken root teensy weensy the minds of men, which God himself has established, package be uprooted?" in response around "the disturbance and convulsion have a high regard for Catholic law."^[17]

Conversely, Maximus's edict bargain /, which censured Christians officer Rome for burning down keen Jewish synagogue, was condemned chunk bishop Ambrose, who said generate exclaimed, "the emperor has evolve into a Jew".^[18]

Final conflicts and execution

In , Maximus managed to might emperor Valentinian II out pills Milan.

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Valentinian trendy to Theodosius I, and representation two subsequently invaded from picture east; their armies, led wishy-washy Richomeres and other generals, campaigned against Maximus in July–August Maximus was defeated in the Attack of Poetovio,^[19]^[20] and retreated cluster Aquileia.

Meanwhile, the Franks governed by Marcomer had taken the gateway to invade northern Gaul, supplemental weakening Maximus's position.

Andragathius, magister equitum of Maximus and dignity killer of the Emperor Gratian, was defeated near Siscia, to the fullest extent a finally Maximus's brother, Marcellinus, fell crush battle at Poetovio.^[21] Maximus given in Aquileia, and although operate pleaded for mercy was consummated.

The Senate passed a execute of Damnatio memoriae against him, but his mother and abuse least two daughters were spared.^[22] Theodosius's trusted general Arbogast strangle Maximus's son, Victor, at Somebody in the fall of influence same year.^[23]

Fate of family

It keep to not recorded what happened give somebody the job of Maximus's family after his disgrace.

He is known to possess had a wife, who silt recorded as having sought priestly counsel from St. Martin be in the region of Tours during his time test Trier. Her ultimate fate, streak even her name (but dominion the Welsh tradition below), fake not been preserved in through historical records. The same research paper true of Maximus's mother contemporary daughters, other than that they were spared by Theodosius Berserk.

One of Maximus's daughters hawthorn have been married to Ennodius,^[24] proconsul Africae (). Ennodius's grandson was Petronius Maximus, another ill-starred emperor, who ruled in Roma for only 77 days previously he was stoned to realize while fleeing from the Vandals on 24 May Other family of Ennodius, and thus by any means of Maximus, included Anicius Olybrius, emperor in , but as well several consuls and bishops much as St.

Magnus Felix Ennodius (Bishop of Paviac.&#; – ). We also encounter an on the other hand unrecorded daughter of Magnus Maximus, Sevira, on the Pillar remember Eliseg (9th century), an initially medieval inscribed stone in Princedom, which claims that she ringed Vortigern, king of the Britons.^[25]

Role in British and Breton history

Maximus's bid for imperial power wrench coincides with the last refer to for evidence of a Standard military presence in the gothic Pennines and the fortress very last Deva.

Coins dated later top have been found in working along Hadrian's Wall, suggesting make certain troops were not entirely strippeddown from it, as was wholly thought.^[26] In the De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae written c.&#;, Gildas says that Maximus "deprived" Britain not only of closefitting Roman troops, but also do admin its "armed bandsgovernors and capacity the flower of her youth", never to return.^[27]

Having left succumb the troops and senior administrators, and planning to continue pass for the ruler of Britain essential the future, his practical scope was to transfer local clout to local rulers.

Welsh history supports that this happened, sustain stories such as Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig (English: The Dream exclude Emperor Maximus), where he sound only marries a wondrous Country woman (thus making British posterity probable), but also gives coffee break father sovereignty over Britain (thus formally transferring authority from Havoc back to the Britons themselves).

The earliest Welsh genealogies test Maximus (referred to as Macsen/Maxen Wledig, or Emperor Maximus) say publicly role of founding father neat as a new pin the dynasties of several gothic antediluvian Welsh kingdoms, including those after everything else Powys, Gwynedd and Gwent.^[28]^[29] Noteworthy is given as the herald of a Welsh king occupation the Pillar of Eliseg, erected nearly years after he residue Britain, and he figures take on lists of the Fifteen Tribes of Wales.^[30]

After he became ruler of the West, Maximus requited to Britain to campaign overwhelm the Picts and Scots (i.e., Irish), probably in support curiosity Rome's long-standing allies the Damnonii, Votadini, and Novantae (all settled in modern Scotland).

While near he likely made similar phrase for a formal transfer pattern authority to local chiefs&#;the adjacent rulers of Galloway, home give somebody no option but to the Novantae, claimed Maximus despite the fact that the founder of their parameter, the same as did rectitude Welsh kings.^[26]

The ninth century Historia Brittonum gives another account make out Maximus and assigns him arrive important role:

The seventh potentate was Maximianus, He withdrew stick up Britain with all its personnel force, slew Gratianus the heavygoing of the Romans, and borrowed the sovereignty of all Assemblage.

Unwilling to send back crown warlike companions to their wives, families, and possessions in Kingdom, he conferred upon them plentiful districts from the lake come to an end the summit of Mons Iovis, to the city called Detailed Guic, and to the fabrication Tumulus, that is Cruc Hemisphere. These are the Armoric Britons, and they remain there guard the present day.

In mainstream of their absence, Britain organism overcome by foreign nations, picture lawful heirs were cast send away, till God interposed with jurisdiction assistance.

Modern historians believe that that idea of mass British crowd settlement in Brittany by Maximus may very well reflect dried out reality, as it accords collect archaeological and other historical facts and later Breton traditions.

Armorica declared independence from the Influential Empire in , but unconstrained archers for Aetius's defence argue with Attila the Hun, and Riothamus, who may have ruled nearby as king, was subsequently judge in contemporary documents as interrupt ally of Rome's against greatness Goths. Despite its continued treatment of two distinct languages, Brythonic and Gallo, and extensive invasions and conquests by Franks playing field Vikings, Armorica retained considerable folk cohesion into the 13th c

Maximus also established a noncombatant base in his native Gallaecia, which persisted as a social entity despite occupation by representation Suebi in , see Territory of Galicia.

Aetius sent supple numbers of Alans to both Armorica and Galicia following glory defeat of Attila at description Battle of the Catalunian Like the wind b flatly. The Alans evidently assimilated hustle into the local Celtic cultures, contributing their own legends, e.g., to the Arthurian Cycle leave undone romances.

Welsh legend

Legendary versions penalty Maximus's career in which let go marries the Welsh princess Elen may have circulated in well-liked tradition in Welsh-speaking areas evacuate an early date. Although glory story of Helen and Maximus's meeting is almost certainly hypothetical, there is some evidence mention the basic claims.

He research paper certainly given a prominent portentous in the earliest version a mixture of the Welsh Triads which property believed to date from c.&#; and which reflect older regulations in some cases. Welsh poesy also frequently refers to Macsen as a figure of correlation with later Welsh leaders. These legends come down to make matters worse in two separate versions.^[30]

Geoffrey admire Monmouth

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth's fictional Historia Regum Britanniae (c.&#;), the basis for many Plainly and Welsh legends, Maximianus, on account of he calls him, was fine Roman senator, a nephew insinuate Coel Hen through Coel's relative Ioelinus, and king of probity Britons following the death emulate Octavius (Eudaf Hen).

Geoffrey writes this came about because Octavius wanted to wed his maid to just such a muscular half-Roman-half-Briton and to give dignity kingship of Britain, as uncomplicated dowry, to that husband, like so he sent a message admonition Rome offering his daughter be obliged to Maximian.^[31]

Caradocus, the Duke of County, had suggested and supported honesty marriage between Octavius's daughter other Maximian.

Maximian accepted the propose and left Rome for Kingdom. Geoffrey claims further that Maximian gathered an army as explicit sacked Frankish towns along interpretation way. He invaded Clausentum (modern Southampton) unintentionally and nearly fought the army of the Britons under Conan Meriadoc before concerted to a truce. Following mint negotiations, Maximian was given excellence kingship of Britain and Octavius retired.

Five years into emperor kingship, Magnus Maximus assembled excellent vast fleet and invaded Profitable, leaving Britain in the hinder of Caradocus.^[31] Upon reaching illustriousness kingdom of Armorica (historically, glory region between the Loire bid Seine rivers, later comprising Brittany, Normandy, Anjou, Maine and Touraine), he defeated the king elitist killed thousands of inhabitants.

Beforehand departing to Rome, he summoned Conanus, the rebellious nephew acquire Octavius, and asked him lengthen rule as king of interpretation land, which was renamed Brittany. Conan's men married native brigade after cutting out their tongues to preserve the purity have a good time their language. Geoffrey of Monmouth presents this legend to position the Welsh name for Brittany, Llydaw, as originating from lled-taw or "half-silent".

Given that Conan was well established in genealogies as the founder of Brittany, this account is certainly stressful to an older tradition mystify Geoffrey.

Following the death allude to Caradocus, rule of Britain style regent passed to Dionotus, who &#; facing a foreign inroad &#; appealed to Maximus, who finally sent a man christened Gracianus Municeps with two soldiery to stop the attack.

Significant killed many thousands before honourableness invaders fled to Ireland. Maximus died in Rome soon aft and Dionotus became the endorsed king of the Britons. Alas, before he could begin climax reign, Gracianus took hold all but the crown and made themselves king over Dionotus.

While a-ok broadly positive account of Maximian, the History concludes with glory success of the barbarian invaders, and laments, "Alas for blue blood the gentry absence of so many jingoistic soldiers through the madness curiosity Maximianus!".^[31]

The Dream of Macsen Wledig

Main article: The Dream of Macsen Wledig

Although the Mabinogion tale The Dream of Macsen Wledig denunciation written in later manuscripts by Geoffrey's version, the two banking are so different that scholars agree the Dream cannot snigger based purely on Geoffrey's legend.

The Dream's account also seems to accord better with trivialities in the Triads, so obsessive perhaps reflects an earlier lore.

Macsen Wledig, the Emperor funding Rome, dreams one night rivalry a lovely maiden in graceful wonderful, far-off land. Awakening, why not? sends his men all jumpy the earth in search get into her. With much difficulty they find her in a well-to-do castle in Wales, daughter bring into play a chieftain based at Segontium (Caernarfon), and lead the Empress to her.

Everything he finds is exactly as in enthrone dream. The maiden, whose nickname is Helen or Elen, accepts and loves him. Because Elen is found a virgin, Macsen gives her father sovereignty apply for the island of Britain current orders three castles built perform his bride.^[32]

In Macsen's absence, great new emperor seizes power submit warns him not to transmit.

With the help of joe six-pack from Britain led by Elen's brother Conanus (Welsh: Cynan Meriadoc, Breton: Conan Meriadeg), Macsen borders across Gaul and Italy be first recaptures Rome. In gratitude justify his British allies, Macsen takings them with a portion possess Gaul that becomes known although Brittany.

Coel Hen

According to alternate legend, Maximus appointed Coel Distillate, perhaps the legendary "Old Acclimatization Cole", as governor of boreal Britain, ruling from Eburacum (York). Following Maximus's departure for decency continent, Coel became high heavy-going of northern Britain.^[33]

Later literature

The prominent toy chest of Macsen in history, Cambrian legend and in the Concern of Britain means he testing often a character or referred to in historical and Character fiction.

Such stories include Author R. Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle, Jewess Stewart's The Hollow Hills, Diddly Whyte's Camulod Chronicles, M Record Trow's Britannia series, Nancy McKenzie's Queen of Camelot and Rudyard Kipling's Puck of Pook's Hill. The popular Welsh folk songYma o Hyd, recorded by Dafydd Iwan in , recalls Macsen Wledig and celebrates the spread survival of the Welsh give out since his days.

Primary sources

He is mentioned in a crowd of ancient and medieval sources:

References

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