MAX'IMI'NUS, Gams JCLICS VEnus. A Roman Emperor (A.D. 233-238 ) . lle was original ly a Thracian shepherd. Attracting the attention of the Emperor Septimius Severus by his im mense size and wonderful feats of strength and agility, he was admitted to the army; was rapid ly advanced for his bravery, put in command of a new legion raised in Pannonia, and obtained great influence over the soldiers. At the head of this legion he followed Alexander Severus in his campaign against the Germans. When the army was encamped on the banks of the Rhine, he conspired against Alexander, and caused him to be put to death in his tent, with his mother Main num (A.D. 23.5). Being proclaimed Emperor, he named his son :Maximus Cletkar, and made him col league in the Empire. lle continued the war against the Germans, and devastated a large territory beyond the Rhine. lint his cruelty and rapacity aroused the indignation of the peo ple. For alleged conspiracy against him he
put to death Magims, a Senator, with 4000 other persons, and for the Imperial treasury confis cated the municipal property. He opposed Chris tianity, and persecuted the bishops \Vila had been favored by Alexander. The provinces of Africa revolted and proclaimed (lordianus, who was soon after acknowledged by the Senate and people (March, 238). but died after a brief reign of twenty-two days. Fearing the vengeance of Maximimas, the Senate then proclaimed Em perors Pupienus Maximus and lialbinus, and with them was associated, by order of the people. the third Gordianus. Maximinus, having crossed the Isonzo. laid siege to Aquileia in Italy, but met with strong resistance from the garrison and people. The soldiers mutinied and killed both him and his son. June 17, 238.