15 Facts About Maximinus Thrax

Maximinus Thrax's father was an accountant in the governor's office and sprang from ancestors who were Carpi, a people whom Diocletian would eventually drive from their ancient abode and transfer to Pannonia.

Maximinus Thrax is described by several ancient sources, though none are contemporary except Herodian's Roman History.

Maximinus Thrax was a so-called barracks emperor of the 3rd century; his rule is often considered to mark the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century.

Maximinus Thrax was the first emperor who hailed neither from the senatorial class nor from the equestrian class.

Maximinus Thrax's background was, in any case, that of a provincial of low birth, and he was seen by the Senate as a barbarian, not even a true Roman, despite Caracalla's edict granting citizenship to all freeborn inhabitants of the Empire.

Maximinus Thrax joined the army during the reign of Septimius Severus.

Maximinus Thrax was in command of Legio IV Italica, composed of recruits from Pannonia, who were angered by Alexander's payments to the Alemanni and his avoidance of war.

The troops, who included the Legio XXII Primigenia, elected Maximinus Thrax, killing Alexander and his mother at Moguntiacum.

Maximinus Thrax began his rule by eliminating the close advisors of Alexander.

The accession of Maximinus Thrax is commonly seen as the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, the commonly applied name for the crumbling and near collapse of the Roman Empire between 235 and 284 caused by various simultaneous crises.

Unable to reach Rome, Maximinus Thrax never visited the capital city during his reign.

Maximinus Thrax doubled the pay of soldiers; this act, along with virtually continuous warfare, required higher taxes.

Eusebius states that, hating his predecessor's household, Maximinus Thrax ordered that the leaders of the churches should be put to death.

Maximinus Thrax is, moreover, depicted in ancient imagery as a man with a prominent brow, nose, and jaw.

Maximinus Thrax's thumb was said to be so large that he wore his wife's bracelet as a ring for it.