Maximinus I, Roman emperor
Gaius Iulius Verus Maximinus, simply known as Maximinus I, was an emperor of Rome during the years 235 AD to 238 AD. He was also sometimes known by the name Maximinus Thrax or Maximinus the Thracian. A barbarian by origin, Maximinus is said to have been the first person of his class to don the imperial purple robes.
Interestingly, he was also the first emperor who never actually set foot in Rome. The first emperor in the line of what later became popularly known as the "barracks emperor", his reign would forever be recorded in history as coinciding with the beginnings of what was later termed by historians, the Crisis of the Third Century.
Maximinus was a man of tremendous physical stature, which perhaps reinforced most Romans impression of him as the Barbarian emperor. The Historia Avgvsta details this observation extensively, saying that he towered hugely over many of his peers. One account has even claimed his height as eight feet and six inches tall, although in truth this report was probably somewhat exaggerated.
Maximinus was born sometime in the year 173 AD (the exact date of his birth remains unclear to this day) to a man of Gothic extraction and to an Alanic mother. His birthplace has been placed at either Thrace or Moesia.
Whilst he did join the armies of Septimius Severus, beginning at a very young age, he would not be able to attain a significantly influential position within the army until an intervention by Alexander Severus caused him to be promoted. Maximinus was then placed at the helm of command with the recruits from Pannonia under his control. Alexander Severus would no doubt later regret his decision, although it would take some time before the consequences of his action would come back to haunt him.
The reason being, that the recruits from Pannonia, unbeknownst to Alexander, were actually quite unhappy with his decision to forestall war by means of bribes which he paid to Alemanni. The disgruntled troops, which included the Legio XXII Primigenia in their ranks, decided that it was time for a more forceful leader and this they found in Maximinus.
They subsequently ordered the death of Alexander and his mother, and their execution was carried out in Moguntiacum in Mainz in the year 235 AD. While the senate was not happy about the prospect of a peasant assuming the role of emperor, they had no choice but to abide by the wishes of the Praetorian Guard who were solely responsible for the proclamation of Maximinus.
As can be expected from a man of his background and upbringing, Maximinus tended to be wary of the nobles who were part of the Roman political landscape, particularly those who were known supporters of Alexander. Those who were implicated in plots to overthrow him were systematically sought out and punished, with the bulk of his anger falling upon Alexander's close circle of advisers.
Maximinus would later meet his end at the hands of the Praetorian guards of the army that had previously brought him to power.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 22/07/2008
