MASSIMUS (Magnus Maximus), ROMAN EMPEROR. — Born of humble Spanish family, he enlisted in the army and was placed by Gratian in command of the troops in Britain. There in 383 he was acclaimed emperor.
He then crossed into Gaul while Gratian, fleeing before the usurper, was killed at Lyons. For the moment he was recognized by Valentinian II and by Theodosius, and through the intervention of St Ambrose an agreement was reached by which Maximus was left in control of Spain, Gaul and Britain. In 387 Maximus came into Italy and occupied Milan; Valentinian, with his mother Justina, took refuge with Theodosius. The latter, seeing the danger now threatening, marched against the usurper, who was defeated and killed near Aquileia in August 388. Towards Christianity, Maximus, for political advantage, posed as a zealous protector of orthodoxy, having the Priscillianists (v. PRISCILLIANISM) condemned and persecuting the Arians; but both St Ambrose and Pope Siricius refused to approve his conduct, which was in fact factious and brutal.
