General Notes

Maximian, in Latin Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus (240?-310), Roman
emperor (286-305, 306-08), born of humble parents in the Roman province of
Pannonia (in present Slovenia). Because of his distinguished military service,
the emperor Diocletian made him coruler of the Roman Empire with the title
augustus. When Diocletian abdicated in 305, however, he compelled Maximian to
do the same. Maximian retired to private life in Lucania, southern Italy, but
returned to Rome in 306 to assist his son, the Roman emperor Marcus Maxentius.
Two years later, however, he was driven from Italy by Maxentius, who wished to
rule alone. He sought refuge in Gaul with his son-in-law,Constantine the
Great. Maximian conspired to seize control of the government, but was forced
by Constantine to commit suicide.