Editing Maximian (section)

{{short description|Roman emperor from 286 to 305}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| image        = Musée Saint-Raymond - 2017-09-02 - Inv. Ra 34b - 4654.jpg
| image_size   = 
| alt          = Bust of a bearded Emperor Maximian
| caption      = Portrait head, [[Musée Saint-Raymond]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tête quasi colossale de Maximien Hercule |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/joconde/05630000138 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=POP – Plateforme Ouverte du Patrimoine – Ministère de la Culture}}</ref>
| succession   = [[Roman emperor]]
| moretext     = (in [[Western Roman Empire|the West]])
| reign        = 1 April 286&nbsp;–&nbsp;1 May 305 {{awrap|(with Diocletian in [[Eastern Roman Empire|the East]])}}
| reign-type   = [[Augustus (title)|''Augustus'']]
| predecessor  = [[Diocletian]] (alone)
| successor    = [[Constantius Chlorus|Constantius I]]
| reign1       = 21 or 25 July 285&nbsp;–&nbsp;286
| reign-type1  = ''[[Caesar (title)|Caesar]]''
| reign2       = {{ubl|{{nowrap|Late 306 – 11 November 308}}|310 (briefly)}}
| reign-type2  = ''Augustus'' (rebelled)
| birth_name   = Maximianus
| birth_date   = {{c.|250}}
| birth_place  = [[Sirmium]], [[Pannonia]] (present-day [[Sremska Mitrovica]], [[Serbia]])
| death_date   = {{c.|lk=no|July 310}} (aged around 60)
| death_place  = [[Massilia]], [[Gallia Narbonensis]] (present-day [[Marseille]], [[France]])
| burial_place = 
| spouse       = [[Eutropia]]
| issue        = {{ubl|[[Flavia Maximiana Theodora|Maximiana Theodora]]|[[Maxentius]]|[[Fausta]]}}
| issue-link   = #Family tree
| issue-pipe   = Detail
| full name    = {{bulleted list|Marcus Aurelius Maximianus|Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus<ref>For full titulature, see: Barnes, ''New Empire'', 17–29.</ref>}}
| regnal name  = Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Augustus
| religion     = [[Religion in ancient Rome|Ancient Roman religion]]
}}

'''Maximian''' ({{langx|la|Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus}}; {{c.|250|July 310}}), nicknamed '''Herculius''', was [[Roman emperor]] from 286 to 305. He was ''[[Caesar (title)|Caesar]]'' from 285 to 286, then ''[[Augustus (title)|Augustus]]'' from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, [[Diocletian]], whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at [[Trier]] but spent most of his time on campaign. In late 285, he suppressed rebels in Gaul known as the [[Bagaudae]]. From 285 to 288, he fought against [[Germanic tribes]] along the [[Rhine]] frontier. Together with Diocletian, he launched a [[scorched earth]] campaign deep into [[Alamanni]]c territory in 288, refortifying the frontier.

The man he appointed to police the [[English Channel|Channel]] shores, [[Carausius]], rebelled in 286, causing the secession of Britain and northwestern Gaul. Maximian failed to oust Carausius, and his invasion fleet was destroyed by storms in 289 or 290. Maximian's subordinate [[Constantius Chlorus|Constantius]] campaigned against Carausius' successor, [[Allectus]], while Maximian held the [[Limes Germanicus|Rhine frontier]]. The rebel leader was ousted in 296, and Maximian moved south to combat piracy near [[Hispania]] and [[Berber people|Berber]] incursions in [[Mauretania]]. When these campaigns concluded in 298, he departed for Italy, where he lived in comfort until 305. At Diocletian's behest, Maximian abdicated on 1 May 305, gave the Augustan office to Constantius, and retired to southern Italy.

In late 306, Maximian took the title of ''Augustus'' again and aided his son, [[Maxentius]], and his rebellion in Italy. In April 307, he attempted to depose his son, but failed and fled to the court of Constantius' successor, [[Constantine I|Constantine]] (Maximian's step-grandson and son-in-law), in Trier. At the [[Conference of Carnuntum|Council]] of [[Carnuntum]] in November 308, Diocletian and his successor, [[Galerius]], forced Maximian to renounce his imperial claim again. In early 310, Maximian attempted to seize Constantine's title while the emperor was on campaign on the Rhine. Few supported him, and he was captured by Constantine in [[Marseille]]. Maximian killed himself in mid-310 on Constantine's orders. During Constantine's war with Maxentius, Maximian's image was purged from all public places. However, after Constantine ousted and [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge|killed Maxentius]], Maximian's image was rehabilitated, and he was deified.