Maximin Ier Thrace

Maximin Thrace ( Caius Julius Verus Maximinus Thrax ) (v. 173 - 238) is a Roman Emperor having reigned of 235 with 238.

Its origins and its portrait

Thrace of birth, perhaps of Gothic origin , he would have been a modest shepherd before climbing gradually the levels of the Roman Armée. Equipped with an extraordinary force, skilful fighter of a very high stature, the authors of the time lend to him a size of 2 meters 70, an obviously exaggerated figure. Obscure general, only member of the equestrian Order and without bond with the traditional Roman nobility, it differently does not conceive his role than like that of chief of army. Maximin, character lout, but good soldier and skilful strategist, who was to never put the feet at Rome, preferring the Danubian areas and its native Thrace. It is the first emperor to be reached highest of the functions by having behind him an exclusively military career, which does not fail to shock the Roman leading classes. Chosen more for its physical courage than for necessary competences under emperor, Maximin concentrates on these military battles which it gains successfully, inspiring the expression of “emperor-soldier”. Not very skilful politically, it proceeds to important liftings of recruits and a tax pressure which is not long in creating violent reactions.

Its reign

Maximin is Préfet of the recruits into 235 whereas the emperor Sévère Alexandre comes to repress a revolt in Germanie. It goes up on the imperial throne following a plot where the emperor and his mother (March 18th) are assassinated by the army. It then inaugurates its reign by a repression of the revolt in progress into Germanic but it must go soon in the Balkans to face the Daces revolted which threaten the Empire as well as the Sarmates.

It names his son Maximus césar.

However in front of the tax pressure and vis-a-vis its contempt posted for the aristocracy, a coup d'etat is launched against him since the area of Thysdrus in Africa proconsulaire by the governor, Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordien Ier), old of more than 80 years, assisted of his/her son, Gordien II. The Sénat recognizes them both as emperors in 238. The legate of Numidie, Capelianus, faithful to Maximin, crushes the insurrectionary movement. But this one continues in Italy, from now on taken in hand by the Senate, which makes of two of its members Maxime Pupien and Balbin, two new emperors (February 238). Maximin leaves then the battle fields of Germanie and goes on Rome when at the beginning of the summer 238, with the seat of Aquilée, him and his/her Maximus son are assassinated with the foot of this impregnable city, by their own soldiers, weakened by the famine. The support of the Italians and the dissensions in the army of Maximin are the causes of the assassination of this last in spring: a Roman riot obliges the Senate to associate with the capacity the young person Gordien III, which remains alone with the capacity after the execution by Praetorian guard in May 238 of the associated emperors. On the whole, one thus counts six emperors in four months.

Maximin persecuted the Christians cruelly but it also plundered the pagan temples . It seems that this emperor-soldier was little, even at all believing.

Successive names

Towards 173, is born Caius Julius Verus Maximinus
235, reaches the Empire: Imperator Caesar Caius Julius Verus Maximinus Pius Felix Invictus Augustus
following its victories against the German ones, Sarmates and Daces: Imperator Caesar Caius Julius Verus Maximinus Pius Felix Invictus Augustus Germanicus Maximus Sarmaticus Maximus Dacicus Maximus
May 238, titulature with its death: Imperator Caesar Caius Julius Verus Maximinus Pius Felix Invictus Augustus Germanicus Maximus Sarmaticus Maximus Dacicus Maximus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribuniciae Potestatis IV, Imperator VII

Biography

Yves Modéran, late Roman Empire, 235-395 , Ellipses, 2003.

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