On 28th August 388, Magnus Maximus was beheaded in Aquileia after 3 brutal and short battles with the eastern emperor Theodosius I. His death ended direct Imperial presence in Northern Gaul, Britain, and the Rhine frontier. The three battles that led to Maximus's death are lacking many details but it seems they were nasty and short affairs. At the Battle of the Save, Maximus and Theodosius were locked in a stalemate; Maximus's Alemanni foederati and Legions from Gaul vs Theodosius's Huns and Eastern Army. Ultimately the huns and their bows proved decisive and Maximus's withdrew to Aquileia. The Eastern Army caught up with him and the city surrendered him over. The Civil War of Maximus further hastened the decline and fall of the Western Roman Army, many Legionaries who had been taken off duty from Britain or Gaul were now lost. Within 90 years the Western Empire would cease to exist. On a happier note, Maximus would live on in history as the founder of the Welsh nation. Though I cannot back that up with any evidence I think it's a nice place to end. Sources http://www.britannica.com/biography/Magnus-Maximus Sulpicius Severus. Dialogi. C. Halm ed., CSEL 1. Vienna, http://www.roman-emperors.org/madmax.htm Post your coins of Magnus Maximus. AR Siliqua Trier mint 383-388 2.05 Grams Magnus Maximus AR Siliqua Trier mint 2.0 Grams "This silver coin is one of the few ancient relics left that echo the name of this man who wished to rule the world."
Thanks for the history lesson, Mag-Max ..... however, I am sure that this is a sad day for you in coin-history (ummm, I'm pretty sure that the day your coin-hero lost his head must be a bit of a downer) cheers, coin-brother sadly, I do not yet own an example of this cool ruler
"My name is Max. My world is fire. And blood." Oops... wrong Max . RIP, Mag Max! MAGNUS MAXIMUS AE4 0.90g, 14mm Arles mint, 383 - 388 AD RIC 29a; Cohen 7 O: D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bsut right. R: SPES RO-MA-NORVM, campgate topped with two towers and a star, PCON in ex.
Nice post and coins, MM! This is an exceptionally good example of the "wavy" campgate type, as I like to call it. I've seen these coins online, and at shows, and have yet to come across one as good as yours, so it's still on my want list.
Thanks, I really these latter day campgates and keep looking out for a suitable Flavius Victor to go with the Mag Max. They seem to be a little more common now than a year or two ago, but I still haven't come across one I really want yet.
My only example of Magnus Maximus is a low-grade AE-2 from the Arles mint...a diademed bust with a 'Reparatio Reipub' and Emperor raising a woman reverse:
Excellent history lesson. I learned something "new" today and I am thankful. Please post more interesting stories. I am all ears.
Nice writeup and coins. my preference to Zumbly's AE4 either Here's mine, mistyped (an upset scalptor on that 28th of august maybe...) Magnus Maximus, Siliqua Trier mint, 2nd officina D N MAG MAX IMVS P F AVG, draped, cuirassed and diademed bust right VIRTVS RO MASORVM (sic !!) Roma seated facing, holding globe and spear. TRPS at exergue 1.91 gr Ref : Cohen # 20 var, Roman coins # 4201 Q
Very good pieces Doug. Maybe one day when I get a some money in my wallet I will pick up a nice Flavius Victor Siliqua!
nice write up MM.....but i don't have an MM to post yet...on my list. i asked these nice people to help me show everyone my coin list.
Magnus Maximus AE2, 383-387 AD, Arles, 5.1g, 24mm OBV: DN MAG MAXI-MVS PF AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right. REV: REPARATIO REIPVB, Emperor standing left, raising kneeling female. mintmarks PCON, SCON and TCON known. REF: RIC Arles 26a, Sear 4203