1. Magnus Maximus was born in Gallaecia, Hispania, on the estates of Count Theodosius of the Theodosian dynasty, to whom he claimed to be related.
20 Facts About Magnus Maximus
1. 2.
Magnus Maximus would become a distinguished general in the following years; as he would gain the support of his fellow soldiers and the admiration of the Romano-Britons whom he defended, which would lead to his eventual immortalisation in Welsh legend in the centuries following.
3.
Magnus Maximus served under Count Theodosius in Africa in 373.
4.
Orosius, who wrote that Magnus Maximus was "an energetic and able man and one worthy of the throne had he not risen to it by usurpation, contrary to his oath of allegiance," claimed that he was proclaimed emperor against his will, but Zosimus portrays him as inciting the troops to rebel against Gratian, as he was upset about Theodosius becoming emperor while he himself was not promoted.
5.
Magnus Maximus went to Gaul to pursue his imperial ambitions, taking a large portion of the British garrison with him.
6.
Magnus Maximus issued coinage and a number of edicts reorganising Gaul's system of provinces.
7.
The Gallic Chronicle of 452 describes the Priscillianists as "Manichaeans", a different Gnostic heresy already condemned in Roman law under Diocletian, and states that Magnus Maximus had them "caught and exterminated with the greatest zeal".
8.
In 387, Magnus Maximus managed to force emperor Valentinian II out of Milan.
9.
Magnus Maximus was defeated in the Battle of Poetovio, and retreated to Aquileia.
10.
Magnus Maximus surrendered in Aquileia, and although he pleaded for mercy was executed.
11.
Magnus Maximus is known to have had a wife, who is recorded as having sought spiritual counsel from St Martin of Tours during his time at Trier.
12.
Magnus Maximus is given as the ancestor of a Welsh king on the Pillar of Eliseg, erected nearly 500 years after he left Britain, and he figures in lists of the Fifteen Tribes of Wales.
13.
The ninth century Historia Brittonum gives another account of Magnus Maximus and assigns him an important role:.
14.
Magnus Maximus established a military base in his native Gallaecia, which persisted as a cultural entity despite occupation by the Suebi in 409, see Kingdom of Galicia.
15.
Magnus Maximus is certainly given a prominent place in the earliest version of the Welsh Triads which are believed to date from and which reflect older traditions in some cases.
16.
Magnus Maximus invaded Clausentum unintentionally and nearly fought the army of the Britons under Conan Meriadoc before agreeing to a truce.
17.
Five years into his kingship, Magnus Maximus assembled a vast fleet and invaded Gaul, leaving Britain in the control of Caradocus.
18.
Magnus Maximus killed many thousands before the invaders fled to Ireland.
19.
Magnus Maximus died in Rome soon after and Dionotus became the official king of the Britons.
20.
Magnus Maximus is mentioned in a number of ancient and medieval sources:.