Magnus Maximus

views updated May 17 2018

Magnus Maximus. Army commander and usurper of the late Roman period. In ad 383 the British commander Magnus Maximus led an uprising which resulted in the assassination of the western Augustus (emperor) Gratian, son of Valentinian I. Frontier problems were occupying the eastern Augustus, Theodosius I, and he was unable to send help in time to rescue Gratian. Indeed he even recognized Magnus Maximus' claims to the throne for a while. Magnus Maximus gained control of the western Roman empire, ruling from Trier. Theodosius finally avenged Gratian in 388, defeating and killing Magnus Maximus after the usurper moved against Italy.

Eleanor Scott