Maximus (urban prefect under Julian)
Maximus (floruit 361-363) was a Roman politician.
Biography
Maximus was a member of the Roman senatorial class.
Probably, it was Maximus to be sent by the usurper Magnentius to Emperor Constantius II and Vetranio in 350.[1]
In the late 361, Maximus and Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus, both sent by the Roman Senate to Emperor Constantius II, meet Julian at Naissus. Julian received them with all honors,[2] then he appointed Maximus as praefectus urbi of Rome in place of Tertullus (praefectus urbi); his choice was motivated by the desire to please Vulcacius Rufinus, uncle of Maximus.[3] Maximus was still in charge on January 28 362, as attested an inscription.[4]
During his tenure, the alimentaria was amply provided, which placated the inhabitants of Rome.[3]
The senator Maximus can be identified with the praefectus urbi of Rome from December 361 to February 363.[5]
Ammianus Marcelinus named him as Maximus,[3] the orator Quintus Aurelius Symmachus refers to him as Clytholias Maximus[6] and finally we find him as Artorius Clytholias Maximus.[7]
Clytholias Maximus[2] was nephew of Vulcatius Rufinus[3] and Neratius Cerealis and therefore a first cousin of Constantius Gallus (son of Galla, and half-brother of Julian the Apostate).
He may have married Saint Melania the Elder.[8] He may also be related, or identical with, a Basilius who served as governor of Achaea around the same period; both were probably descended from Valerius Maximus Basilius, praefectus urbi from 319 to 323.[9][10]
Notes
- «Maximus 12», PLRE I, p. 581.
- Corsini, Edoardo (1763). Series praefectorum urbis ab urbe condita ad annum mcccliii.
- Ammianus Marcellinus, XXI.12.24.
- AE 1904, 33
- Symmachus X ep. 54
- Symmachus X ep. 47
- Louis Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemont. Histoire des empereurs et des autres princes qui ont régné durant les six premiers siecles de l'Eglise. p. 741.
- PLRE I, pp. 1142, 1145, 1147
- PLRE I, pp. 148–149, 582, 1142, 1145, 1147
- Inge Mennen (26 April 2011). Power and Status in the Roman Empire, AD 193-284. BRILL. pp. 127–. ISBN 90-04-20359-1.
Bibliography
- «Maximus 13», PLRE I, p. 582.
- Henry M. Gwatkin, Studies of Arianism: Chiefly Referring to the Character and Chronology of the Reaction which Followed the Council of Nicea Wipf and Stock Publishers, ISBN 9781597521963.
- Louis Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemon, Histoire des empereurs et des autres princes qui ont régné durant les six premiers siecles de l'Eglise.