Magnus Maximus (? - 388 AD)

Magnus Maximus was born in Gallaecia (northwestern Spain) on the estates of Count Theodosius, a senior military officer. He may have been a relative of Count Theodosius, or his family may have simply been workers on the estate.

Maximus distinguished himself as a military leader from a young age. He may have been stationed in Britain in 368 AD as a junior officer where he helped to repel Pictish and Scottish invaders who were attempting to capitalise on the depleted military garrison in Britain after Magnentius' unsuccessful bid to become emperor twenty years earlier. In 372 AD, Maximus served under Count Theodosius in Africa and then in 376 AD he campaigned along the Danube. His efforts were rewarded in 380 AD when he was made Commander of Britain.

The Roman Empire at that time was ruled by Gratian in the west and Theodosius I, the son of Count Theodosius, in the east. Gratian was an unpopular emperor, especially with the legions, and in 383 AD, Maximus was proclaimed emperor by his troops in Britain. Maximus immediately left the province, taking most of the army with him, and defeated Gratian in battle near Paris. Buoyed by his success, and with his army swelled by those who had deserted Gratian, Maximus marched on Italy to overthrow Gratian's son, the twelve year emperor Valentinian II. He was only prevented from doing so by the military intervention of Theodosius I. Theodosius I, wanting to protect Valentinian II and concerned with his own troubles in the east, reluctantly made Maximus emperor of Gaul, Britain, Hispania and the African Provinces while Valentinian II kept Italy. 

Magnus Maximus was a popular emporer. Although he established his capital at Augusta Trevorum (Trier, France), Maximus returned regularly to Britain to campaign against the Picts and Scots in support of Rome's long-standing Celtic allies in southern Scotland. He used foederati (mercenary forces) to great effect and while in Britain, it is likely he started to transfer local powers to local rulers, such as Coel Hen in the north. Like Theodosius I, Maximus was a Christian emperor who persecuted pagans and heretical Christians, although he appears to have been tolerant of other faiths, even reprimanding Christians in Rome for burning down a synagogue in 387 AD.

In 387 AD, Maximus elevated his infant son, Flavius Victor, to co-emperor. Later the same year, Maximus once again invaded Italy, forcing Valentinian II to flee from Milan to the court of Theodosius I. With his troubles in the east solved, Theodosius marched west and defeated Maximus at the Battle of the Save (modern-day Croatia) in 388 AD. With his top general and brother dead, Maximus retreated to Aquileia in northern Italy where he quickly surrendered.  

Despite his pleas for mercy, Magnus Maximus was executed as a traitor in 388 AD. His young son, Flavius Victor, was also killed although what became of the rest of his family is unclear. Magnus Maximus - or Macsen Wledig, to give him his Welsh name - is a prominent figure in Welsh legend and is listed as a founding ancestor in the genealogies of several Welsh royal dynasties. Tradition has it that he married Elen Lwyddog, a Welsh princess, and his sons and daughters, presumably safe in Britain after his death, went on to found royal dynasties of their own.