Troops Proclaim Maximus Emperor
Soldiers in Roman Britain acclaimed Magnus Maximus emperor, creating a rival to the established western ruler Gratian.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Magnus Maximus Biography and Timeline
Follow Magnus Maximus through 16 dated historical records for Roman Empire.
Magnus Maximus, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
16Distinct records
1 of 1Page
383–388Years on this page
383
Maximus Crosses English Channel
Magnus Maximus led military forces from Britain into Gaul in an effort to challenge imperial control on the continent.
Maximus Gains Support in Gaul
As Gratian lost backing among his soldiers, Magnus Maximus consolidated his position in Gaul and advanced his imperial claim.
Maximus Makes Trier Imperial Seat
Magnus Maximus established an imperial court at Trier, from which he administered Britain Gaul and Spain.
384
Maximus Seeks Formal Recognition
Magnus Maximus pursued recognition of his imperial position through negotiations with the courts of Theodosius I and Valentinian II.
Maximus Issues Imperial Coinage
Magnus Maximus issued coinage asserting his title as Augustus and publicising the legitimacy of his rule in western provinces.
Maximus Governs Western Provinces
Maximus exercised authority across Gaul Britain and Spain, controlling military resources and civic administration from his continental court.
385
Maximus Intervenes in Priscillian Affair
Magnus Maximus presided over a political environment in which bishops brought accusations against Priscillian and his associates before imperial authorities.
386
Maximus Courts Catholic Bishops
Magnus Maximus sought backing from influential western clergy while promoting his political authority in the territories under his control.
387
Maximus Invades Northern Italy
Magnus Maximus advanced into Italy to remove Valentinian II and extend his own authority over the western Roman Empire.
388
Assassination of Magnus Maximus
Death of Magnus Maximus, assassinated
Death of Magnus Maximus
Death of Magnus Maximus, assassinated
Invasion of Italy
Magnus Maximus invades Italy
Maximus Defeated at Siscia
Forces defending the regime of Magnus Maximus were beaten near Siscia during the east to west campaign of Theodosius I.
Maximus Suffers Defeat at Poetovio
The army of Magnus Maximus suffered a further defeat near Poetovio as Theodosius pushed towards northern Italy.
Maximus Captured at Aquileia
Magnus Maximus was taken into custody at Aquileia after military defeats ended his challenge to the emperor Theodosius I.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.