Maximinus thrax biography of albert

Maximinus' soldiers were unable to gather supplies and unhappy about being trapped in this situation. After perhaps only a month of the siege, soldiers of a legion usually stationed near Rome had had enough.

Maximinus thrax biography of albert: The fateful era of the

They marched over to the emperor's tent in the middle of the day and killed Maximinus and his son. The pair's heads were cut off and sent to Rome, while the bodies were abused and then abandoned to animals. The historical tradition has been universally unkind to Maximinus. His arrival on the throne was similar to that of Macrinusthe only previous emperor who had not been a member of the senatorial class at the time of his accession.

Yet unlike MacrinusMaximinus was a career soldier from a backwards province who had little or no formal education. Maximinus came to be described as a ruthless, semi-barbarian tyrant, and by late antiquity he was regularly referred to with the ethnic epithet Thrax, "the Thracian.

Maximinus thrax biography of albert: He was the first emperor

The reign of Maximinus Thrax reveals what would be a growing reluctance of troops to accept senatorial commanders, a trend that would continue under other "soldier-emperors" of the third century. By this point, he would have been around 35 years old, well-connected, experienced in warfare, and equipped with valuable leadership skills that would serve him well throughout his career.

Maximinus Thrax. From common soldier to emperor of Rome, by Paul N. Pearson Maximinus, the Emperor Maximinus is generally not remembered kindly in historical accounts, and the critiques of his reign began early. Ancient historian Herodian characterizes him primarily as a soldier, lacking the qualities of a refined ruler. His reign commenced after the assassination of Severus Alexander by rebellious troops, and Maximinus quickly became associated with the military.

He distanced himself from Rome, spending his entire reign on the Rhine and Danube frontiers, expelling non-military personnel from his camp to maintain a purely military environment. Although he achieved some success in campaigns against Germanic tribes, Herodian portrays him as a violent and greedy tyrant, which ultimately led to his downfall.

His harsh taxation policies sparked a revolt, starting with Gordian I and later involving the Roman Senate. This opposition culminated in the appointment of Pupienus and Balbinus as co-emperors, which prompted Maximinus to lead an army into Italy. However, his military campaign stalled at Aquileia, where after he ordered the death of many of his generals, he and his son were assassinated by his own men, theirs heads displayed on pikes and sent to Rome, ending his reign in the same manner in which it had begun.

His supposedly barbaric roots are portrayed as influencing both his reign and approach to power, emphasizing his detachment from traditional Roman political norms. He tried to change everything from a mild and altogether gentle monarchy into a cruel tyranny, aware of the hatred towards him for being the first person to rise from wholly insignificant origins to such great fortune.

But in his behaviour, just like his birth, he was by nature barbarian. While Severus Alexander is credited with elevating the Roman Empire into an aristocracy after the indulgences of ElagabalusMaximinus is depicted as reverting to a tyrannical form of rule. These attributes underscore the moralizing framework Herodian applies, positioning Maximinus as the antithesis of a just ruler, with an emphasis on his brutality and humble origins, consistently associated with his reign.

According to scholars, Maximinus wasn't necessarily hostile towards the aristocracy but was indifferent to them, contributing to their alienation. His reputation for greed, often highlighted in historical narratives, stems from his need to finance military campaigns.

Maximinus thrax biography of albert: Roman emperor. Start time

This portrayal suggests that Maximinus' primary failure was in ignoring civil responsibilities and public sentiment, not simply barbaric tendencies as Herodian might imply. Herodian claims of his innocence. Credits: Marie-Lan Nguyen, Public domain An analysis based on Herodian Maximinus' reign, as portrayed by Herodian, is defined by his barbaric origins and low birth, which significantly shape his actions, especially towards the Senate and the military.

This isolation underscores his perceived disinterest in Roman political life and reflects the wider imperial savagery often associated with his character.

Maximinus thrax biography of albert: The first full-length biography of

Even though Maximinus is not always at the forefront of the narrative, the underlying barbaric character he represents is felt throughout the story, as Rome spirals into violence and chaos under his rule. The themes of savagery and imperial corruption are central, as power shifts unpredictably, with the Senate and Roman citizens turning against the army.

A possible representation of Maximinus Thrax inside his palace, where he focused more on his military than his citizens. Illustration: Midjourney This portrayal is less concerned with an objective account and more with creating a commentary on imperial character. His account of Maximinus begins with the emperor on the frontier, highlighting his survival of two attempted coups before leading an invasion of Germany.

Though militarily successful, Maximinus is portrayed as a ruler despised by all sectors of Roman society —he abused the elite, the people, the plebsand even the soldiers. For what was the point in destroying barbarians when there were more deaths happening in Rome itself and among the subject nations? What was the point in carrying off plunder and prisoners from the enemy while stripping and robbing his own people of their possessions?

Away from the frontier, Maximinus inspires fear and distances himself from Roman identity, blurring the line between the Roman emperor and barbarian invader. Eusebius states that, hating his predecessor's household, Maximinus ordered that the leaders of the churches should be put to death. This is based on the "3 years 4 months 2 days" reign-length given by the Chronograph of Some interpret this as "3 years 3 months 2 days", which gives 24 June reckoning from 22 Marchthe supposed date of Alexander's death the exact date is disputed.

Thus the man born Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus became the first Thracian Roman emperor, marking the beginning of a tumultuous period for the Roman Empire. 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 honour he had won.

One of his first battles was against the Alemanni. Despite heavy Roman losses, his victory earned him the title Germanicus Maximus. Yet so expensive was his push into Germanic territory that it forced him to raise taxes, a hugely unpopular move. This, combined with the fact the Senate resented him for — among other things — the fact that he never actually set foot in Rome, was a bridge too far.

Along with his son of the same name, known as Gordian II, the pair were proclaimed co-emperors.