Maximin (Galerius Valerius Maximinus), d. 313, Roman emperor (308–13); kinsman of Galerius. He is called Maximin Daia. He was made caesar in 305 and in 308 proclaimed himself augustus in opposition to Emperor Licinius. After the death of Galerius (310), Maximin exercised considerable power. He persecuted the Christians and tried to revive paganism. He later allied himself with Maxentius against Licinius and Constantine (Constantine I); Maxentius was crushed by Constantine, and Maximin was defeated by Licinius. A last-minute effort to win the Christians by an edict of toleration did not help him. He died a fugitive.

Maximin (Caius Julius Verus Maximinus) (măk´sĬmĬn), d. 238, Roman emperor (235–38). A rough Thracian soldier of great physical strength, he rose in the army, and when the soldiers revolted against Alexander Severus, they proclaimed Maximin emperor at Mainz. He established order among the troops and conducted (235–38) highly successful campaigns against the Germans. In 238 there was a rebellion in Africa, and Gordian (Gordian I) was named emperor by the landowners. Maximin marched on Italy and advanced on Aquileia. In the siege he was assassinated by the soldiers.