v43_0516 - MAXIMINUS I Denier

MAXIMINUS I

(March 22, 235 – c. April 15, 238)

Maximin, a soldier, owes his career to his very large size. He is noticed by Septimius Severus who makes him a Praetorian. Proclaimed august after the assassination of Alexander Severus, Augustus History presents him as a bloodthirsty boor, sworn enemy of the Senate. In three years of reign, he will never set foot in Rome and remains on the Rhine-Danubian limes. He won a great victory over the Germans in 236, settled in Sirmium and won a victory over the Sarmatians. Bringing all his care to the soldiers, he neglects Rome and imposes heavily the cities. Of Thracian origin, he was the first Illyrian emperor. In 238, numerous revolts broke out in Rome and in Africa. The Gordians are proclaimed august in Africa in January or February, while in Rome, Balbin and Pupien, two senators, are responsible for eliminating Maximinus, finally assassinated with his son Maximus under the walls of Aquileia which they besieged.