--- title: Maximinus Thrax author: Donald L. Wasson source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Maximinus Thrax _Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_ Maximinius Thrax ruled briefly as the [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) from 235 CE to his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) in 238 CE. The young [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Emperor [Alexander Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_Severus/) secured the imperial throne after the assassination of his cousin [Elagabalus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Elagabalus/) by the [Praetorian Guard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Praetorian_Guard/) in 222 CE. Thirteen years later in 235 CE, after unsuccessful assaults against the Parthians and Germans, the army, tired of his inability to command, murdered him and his mother, Julia Mamaea, and rallied behind a semi-illiterate barbarian commander named Maximinus Thrax. Unfortunately, his lack of support in the [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/) and several costly military expeditions would spell his own demise three years later. Gaius [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) Verus was born in 172 or 173 CE in Thrace, a region northeast of Macedonia near the Black Sea, to a peasant father and an Alanic mother. Because of his place of birth, he became identified with the name of Thrax. In 190 CE he entered the military and because of his immense size and strength, quickly rose through the ranks, eventually commanding a legion in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) in 232 CE, governing the Roman province of [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), and lastly, in 234 CE leading recruits in Germany. At a very opportune moment, Maximinus would be acclaimed as the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/)'s new leader. In the early spring of 235 CE [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) Severus and his mother attempted an offensive against the Germans with the sole intent of resurrecting the young emperor's image with the army and people of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). Unfortunately, he chose to negotiate instead of fight. The army was furious and rallied behind Maximinus against Alexander. After the assassination of the emperor and his mother - their bodies were returned to Rome - Maximinus was proclaimed emperor near the present-day [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Mainz on March 20, 235 CE. The Roman Senate reluctantly approved, even though they considered him a barbarian and below their social standing. His son Gaius Julius Verus Maximus would be named [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/). Historian Herodian in his *History of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/)* wrote of the new emperor, > His character was naturally barbaric, as his race was barbarian. He had inherited the brutal disposition of his countrymen, and he intended to make his imperial position secure by acts of cruelty, fearing that he would become an object of contempt to the Senate and the people, who might be more conscious of his lowly origin than impressed by the honor he had won. After assuming the imperial title, the new emperor recognized his lack of the necessary support in the Senate and remained cautious. Those in Rome, as well as many in the army, preferred a senator named Magnus; however, when news of the plot became known, several of his followers met their untimely death on the orders of Maximinus. Others, who remained loyal to Alexander, chose [Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Titus/) Quartinus as emperor, but unfortunately he met his death as he slept at the hands of one of his most vocal supporters, a man named Macedo who elected to change sides and support Maximinus instead. Herodian noted, > Although he had no reason for enmity or hatred, Macedo killed the man whom he himself had chosen and persuaded to accept the empire. Thinking that this act would win him great favor with Maximinus, Macedo cut off Quartinus' head and brought it to the emperor. When he learned of the deed, Maximinus, though he believed that he had been freed from a dangerous enemy, nevertheless had Macedo killed, when the man had every reason to hope and believe that he would receive a generous reward. Building a pontoon bridge and crossing the Rhine, the new emperor moved further into Germany, plundering and burning villages as he went. After a fierce [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) near Wurttemberg and Baden and despite heavy losses, he was proclaimed [Germanicus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Germanicus/) Maximus. Peace in the region was restored. From 235-236 CE he advanced towards the Danube, earning the titles of Dacius Maximus and Samaticus Maximus. However, his problems lay not in Germany but back in Rome - a city he would actually never see. His push into Germany had drained the finances of the empire, and his cuts in subsidies on the city's grain supply harmed his reputation with the people, especially the poor. Herodian remarked, > After Maximinus had impoverished most of the distinguished men and confiscated their estates, which he considered small and insignificant and not sufficient for his purposes, he turned to the public treasuries; all the funds which had been collected for the citizens' welfare or for gifts, all the funds being held in reserve for shows or festivals, he transferred to his own personal fortune. Realizing they could no longer tolerate the excesses of Maximinus, the Senate threw their support behind the eighty-year-old governor of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), [Marcus Antonius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) Gordianus Sempronianus or [Gordian I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordian_Emperors/). Maximinus was declared an enemy of the state. Gordianus and his son [Gordian II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordian_Emperors/), who was proclaimed [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) by his father, may have had the support of the Senate but their days on the throne were numbered. Capellianus, governor of Numidia and an ally of Maximinus, advanced his legions to [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) and after defeating the small militia killed the forty-six-year-old [Gordian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordian_Emperors/) II. His father, hearing of his son's assassination, hanged himself. They had been in power for only twenty-two days. Still refusing to accept Maximinus as emperor, the Senate appointed co-emperors - [Decius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Decius/) Caelius Calvinus Balbinus and Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus. They also named a Council of Twenty to advise them. Regrettably, the new emperors were not welcomed warmly by the people of Rome, indeed the two received a hail of stones are they walked through the streets and the citizens preferred the thirteen-year-old nephew of Gordian II, Marcus Antonius Gordianus. To appease the citizenry, the boy who would become [Gordian III](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordian_Emperors/) was named Caesar. After hearing of the Gordian appointment and despite the growing animosity of his troops, Maximinus moved his army towards [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). He reached the city of Emosa but found it to be evacuated. He travelled further to the walled city of [Aquileia](https://www.worldhistory.org/aquileia/), but his repeated attacks on the city failed. Emperor Pupienus set out from Rome to meet Maximinus. The losses at Aquileia, combined with the shortage of food, were too much for the Praetorian Guard and in May of 238 CE they murdered both the emperor and his son with their heads being escorted back to Rome. Pupienus entered Aquileia a hero. Herodian, who refers to the victorious co-emperor as Maximus, wrote that the city opened their gates and welcomed Maximus into the city. According to Herodian, many of the defeated men of Maximinus remained angry, grieving their fallen commander, > The men cheered Maximus and scattered leaves in his path. The soldiers who were besieging Aquileia came forward carrying laurel branches symbolic of peaceful intent, not because this represented their true feelings but because the presence of the emperor forced them to pretend respect and good will. The death of Maximinus brought about what many historians consider a period of crisis and chaos. Pupienus returned to Rome a hero but soon quarreled with the jealous Balbinus. Tired of both men the Praetorian Guard stormed the imperial [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/). seized the emperors, and dragged their bodies through the streets of Rome. Gordian III was proclaimed the new emperor, the last in the Year of the Six Emperors. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Grant, M. *The Roman Emperors.* Barnes & Noble Books, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0760700915/) - Herodian. *History of the Roman Empire.* - Potter, D. *The Emperors of Rome.* Metro Books, 2007 - [Scarre, C. *Chronicle of the Roman Emperors.* Thames & Hudson, 1995.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500050775/) ## About the Author Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students. ## Timeline - **172 CE - 173 CE**: Birth of [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Maximinus Thrax](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/). - **232 CE**: Emperor [Maximinus Thrax](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/) commands a legion in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/). - **234 CE**: Emperor [Maximinus Thrax](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/) is governor of [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/). - **Mar 235 CE - May 238 CE**: Reign of [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Maximinus Thrax](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/). - **May 238 CE**: Assassination of Emperor [Maximinus Thrax](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/). ## External Links - [List of Rulers of the Roman Empire | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roru/hd_roru.htm) ## Cite This Work ### APA Wasson, D. L. (2013, November 18). Maximinus Thrax. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus\_Thrax/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/) ### Chicago Wasson, Donald L.. "Maximinus Thrax." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 18, 2013. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus\_Thrax/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/). ### MLA Wasson, Donald L.. "Maximinus Thrax." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Nov 2013, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus\_Thrax/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximinus_Thrax/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 18 November 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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