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Maximian(Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus) (măksĭm`ēən), d. 310, Roman emperor, with DiocletianDiocletian
(Caius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) , 245–313, Roman emperor (284–305), b. near Salona, Dalmatia (the modern Split, Croatia). Of humble birth, he obtained high military command under Probus and Aurelian and fought under Carus in Persia.
..... Click the link for more information. (286–305). An able commander, he was made caesar (subemperor) by Diocletian in 285 and augustus in 286. He was in general charge of the empire in the West but failed to put down the revolt of Carausius. Two new caesars, GaleriusGalerius
(Caius Galerius Valerius Maximinianus) , d. 310, Roman emperor (305–10). Diocletian appointed him caesar for the eastern part of the empire in 293 (Constantius I was caesar of the West). He had to conduct hard campaigns in Pannonia and Asia.
..... Click the link for more information. and Constantius IConstantius I
(Constantius Chlorus) , c.250–306, Roman emperor (305–6). A career general, he gave up Helena to marry Theodora, the daughter of Maximian. He was made caesar (subemperor) under Maximian in 293 and gained prestige when his forces defeated the rebel
..... Click the link for more information. , were created in 293, and Constantius was successful against Carausius. Maximian abdicated with Diocletian in 305, but the death of Constantius in 306 brought confusion to the political scene—there was a struggle for power among SeverusSeverus
(Flavius Valerius Severus), d. 307, Roman emperor (306–7). He participated with Galerius in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Maxentius. Surrendering to Maximian (father of Maxentius) at Ravenna on the condition that his life be spared, Severus was taken to Rome.
..... Click the link for more information. (d.307), Galerius, Constantine (Constantine IConstantine I
or Constantine the Great
, 288?–337, Roman emperor, b. Naissus (present-day Niš, Serbia). He was the son of Constantius I and Helena and was named in full Flavius Valerius Constantinus.
..... Click the link for more information. , son of Constantius), and MaxentiusMaxentius
(Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius) , d. 312, Roman emperor (306–12), son of Maximian. After Diocletian and Maximian had retired, the successor to Maximian, Constantius, died.
..... Click the link for more information. (son of Maximian). Maximian plunged into the conflict, at first to aid his son in Italy; he captured Severus, repulsed Galerius, and won over Constantine, to whom he gave his daughter Fausta in marriage. Then Maximian and Maxentius became enemies, and, having failed to depose his son, Maximian fled to Constantine and abdicated again (308). He could not, however, rest content but revolted against Constantine. In 310 he was forced to commit suicide.
(Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus). Born A.D. 240; died 310. Roman emperor in 286-305 and 307-310. Son of a peasant from Pannonia.
Maximian rose to the highest ranks of military service. In 285, Diocletian proclaimed him Caesar, and in 286 Augustus, his coruler. Maximian was noted for his harshness in suppressing the uprisings of the Bagaudae in Gaul (285) and the German tribes (286). In 290-291 he repulsed the onslaught of the Mauretanian tribes in Africa. He supported Diocletian’s reforms. In 305, with Diocletian, he renounced the throne, but in 307 he declared himself Augustus again. He was killed in a struggle for power. (According to the official version, he committed suicide.)