Short Biography about the life of Magnus Maximus
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Magnus, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.

• Name commonly known as: Magnus
• Latin Roman Name: Magnus Maximus
• Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: 383 - August 28, 388 against Gratian, then Valentinian II and Theodosius I
• Dynasty / Historical Period: The Valentinian dynasty (364 - 394) derives its name from the first of the dynasty's Emperors - Valentinian I. Orthodox Christianity became the officially tolerated variant of the faith and the Empire became irrevocably split into two halves.
• Place and Date of Birth: Born ca. 335 in Hispania
• Family connections / Genealogy
  • Married: Helen
  • Children: Flavius Victor
• Place and Date of Death: August 28, 388 in Aquileia

• For the names of the next Roman emperors in the East and the West of the Empire refer to the Timeline of Roman Emperors

Magnus Maximus the Usurper - Roman Coins, or coinage
Magnus was a usurper. Usurper is a term used to describe an illegal claimant to the throne without securing "the consent of the governed." Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards. Every new emperor, either legal or illegal, marked the beginning of his rule by minting new coins, both for the prestige of declaring oneself as Augustus and to pay the loyal soldiers their share. Roman coins, or coinage, is often the only evidence of a determined usurpation such as that of Magnus.

Interesting facts about the life of Magnus Maximus
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Magnus from the following facts and information about his life. Gratian was defeated and put to death, A.D. 383, by the usurper, Maximus, who also deprived Valentinian II. of his province of Italy. Magnus Maximus made his capital at Augusta Treverorum (Treves, Trier) in Gaul and ruled Britain, Gaul, Spain, and Africa. Magnus Maximus features in the myths and legends of England and Wales. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth,  the Medieval author of Historia regum Britanniae, Maximian, as Magnus Maximus is referred to, was a Roman senator and nephew of King Coel (Old King Cole origins) through his brother Joelinus and was king of the Britons. In 387 Magnus Maximus forced Valentinian II out of Rome. Theodosius the Great defeated the usurper in A.D. 388 and the Usurper Magnus Maximus was executed on August 28, 388 in Aquileia. Valentinian II was restored to his throne.