Petronius Maximus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Petronius Maximus
Solidus of Petronius Maximus marked: d·n· petronius maximus p·f· aug·
Roman emperor in the West (unrecognized in the East)
Reign	17 March – 31 May 455
Predecessor	Valentinian III
Successor	Avitus
Eastern emperor	Marcian
Born	c. 397
Died	31 May 455 (aged c. 58) Rome
Spouse	Eparchia Lucina Licinia Eudoxia
Issue	Palladius
Father	Possibly Anicius Probinus

Petronius Maximus (born around 397 – died May 31, 455) was a Roman emperor who ruled the Western Roman Empire for a very short time in 455. He was in power for only about two and a half months. Maximus was a rich and important senator and a powerful noble. He played a key role in the deaths of two very important people: Aëtius, who was a top general, and Valentinian III, the emperor.

After the general Aëtius was killed, and then Emperor Valentinian III also died, Maximus worked to become emperor. He got the support of the Roman Senate and used money to convince palace officials to help him. To make his position stronger, he forced Licinia Eudoxia, Valentinian's widow, to marry him. He also made her daughter, Eudocia, marry his own son. This meant Eudocia's earlier engagement to the son of Genseric, the king of the Vandals, was broken.

This made both Eudocia and King Genseric very angry. Genseric then sent his fleet (a group of ships) to Rome. Maximus tried to get help from the Visigoths but failed. When the Vandals arrived, he tried to escape but got separated from his guards. Other Romans killed him in the confusion. After Maximus's death, the Vandals attacked and looted Rome badly.

Petronius Maximus's short rule showed how unstable the Western Roman Empire was becoming. His time as emperor highlighted the empire's problems, like weak leadership and a lack of central power. The Vandal invasion and the attack on Rome proved how vulnerable the Western Roman Empire was. This event was a big step towards its eventual collapse in 476.

Who Was Petronius Maximus?

Petronius Maximus was born around the year 397. His family background was not very famous, but it is thought he belonged to the important Anicius and Petronius families. He was related to a later emperor named Olybrius. His father was likely Anicius Probinus. His grandfather, Sextus Claudius Petronius Probus, held many important government jobs. These included being a prefect (a high-ranking official) in different Roman regions and a Roman consul (a top political leader).

Maximus's Early Career and Achievements

Maximus had a very successful career before becoming emperor. His first known job was praetor around 411. This was a judicial role. Around 415, he worked as a tribunus et notarius, which was a starting point for working in the emperor's government.

Later, between 416 and 419, he became the comes sacrarum largitionum. This meant he was in charge of the empire's money. From 420 to 421, he was praefectus urbi of Rome. This gave him a lot of power over the city's administration. He held this job again before 439. During one of these times, he helped restore the Old St. Peter's Basilica.

He also became a praetorian prefect, a powerful military and judicial position, between 421 and 439. While holding this role, or during his second time as urban prefect, he was made a Roman consul in 433. Being a consul was considered the highest honor in the Roman state. He was given a second consulship in 443.

In 445, he received the title of patrician. This was a very special honor given to only a few people. For a short time, he was the most honored non-imperial Roman. Between 443 and 445, Maximus built a public space called the Forum Petronii Maximi in Rome.

How Maximus Became Emperor

Historians say that Maximus played a clever game to get rid of his rivals. He wanted to become emperor.

The Plot Against Aëtius

According to one historian, John of Antioch, Maximus tricked Emperor Valentinian III into distrusting his top general, Aëtius. Maximus and Valentinian made a bet on a game, and Maximus lost. Since he didn't have the money, he left his ring as a guarantee. Valentinian then used the ring to call Lucina, Maximus's wife, to court. Lucina thought her husband had called her, but she ended up having dinner with the emperor.

When she returned home, she accused Maximus of betraying her. Maximus was furious and wanted revenge. He also wanted Aëtius's powerful position. He decided to act against Valentinian. Maximus knew he couldn't get revenge on Valentinian while Aëtius was still alive. So, he teamed up with Heraclius, a palace official who didn't like Aëtius.

They convinced Valentinian that Aëtius was planning to kill him. They urged the emperor to kill Aëtius during a meeting. On September 21, 454, Valentinian killed his general Aëtius with his own hands, helped by Heraclius.

The Assassination of Valentinian III

After Aëtius was dead, Maximus asked Valentinian for Aëtius's old job as general. But the emperor refused. Heraclius had advised Valentinian not to let anyone have as much power as Aëtius had. Maximus was so angry that he decided to have Valentinian killed too.

He found two soldiers, Optilia and Thraustila, who had fought under Aëtius. They were now part of Valentinian's guards. Maximus easily convinced them that Valentinian was responsible for Aëtius's death. He told them they should get revenge for their old commander. He also promised them a reward.

On March 16, 455, Valentinian was in Rome. He went to the Campus Martius with some guards, including Optilia and Thraustila. When the emperor got off his horse to practice with his bow, Optilia and his men attacked. They killed Valentinian. At the same time, Thraustila killed Heraclius. The two soldiers took the emperor's crown and robe and brought them to Maximus.

Valentinian III's sudden death left the Western Roman Empire without a clear leader. Different groups in the government and army supported different people. The army was divided among three main candidates: Maximianus, a former bodyguard of Aëtius; Majorian, who later became emperor; and Maximus himself. Maximus had the support of the Roman Senate. He secured the throne on March 17 by giving money to palace officials.

Maximus's Short Reign and Death

After taking control of the palace, Maximus quickly married Licinia Eudoxia, Valentinian's widow. She married him unwillingly, suspecting he was involved in her husband's death. Maximus even treated Valentinian III's killers well. The eastern Roman court in Constantinople did not accept Maximus as emperor.

To make his position stronger, Maximus quickly appointed Avitus as a top general. He sent Avitus to Toulouse to get help from the Visigoths. Maximus also broke off the engagement of Licinia's daughter, Eudocia, to Huneric, the son of the Vandal king Geiseric. Instead, he made Eudocia marry his own son. He hoped this would boost his family's royal status.

This decision made the Vandal king, Geiseric, furious. He only needed an excuse to invade Italy. Licinia Eudoxia, feeling desperate, appealed to the Vandal court for help.

The Vandal Invasion and Maximus's End

By May, just two months after Maximus became emperor, news reached Rome that Geiseric was sailing for Italy. When this news spread, panic filled the city. Many people fled. Maximus knew that Avitus had not returned with the Visigothic help. He decided it was useless to defend against the Vandals.

So, he tried to escape and urged the Senate to come with him. But in the chaos, Petronius Maximus was left alone by his bodyguards and companions. As Maximus rode out of the city by himself on May 31, 455, an angry crowd attacked him. They killed him. Another story says a Roman soldier named Ursus killed him. He had been emperor for only 75 days. His son, Palladius, who had been given the title of caesar and married Eudocia, was probably also killed.

What Happened After Maximus's Death?

On June 2, 455, three days after Maximus died, Geiseric captured the city of Rome. His Vandal army looted it for two weeks. Despite the widespread pillaging, and thanks to the pleas of Pope Leo I, the Vandals reportedly avoided setting fires, torturing people, or committing murder. However, some modern historians say that temples, public buildings, private homes, and even the emperor's palace were destroyed.

The Vandals also took many Romans to North Africa as slaves. They destroyed works of art and killed some citizens. The Vandals' actions during this attack led to the modern word "vandalism." Geiseric also took Empress Licinia Eudoxia and her daughters, Placidia and Eudocia, with him.

Images for kids

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  The Western Roman Empire at about this period, in red only

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  A depiction of the sack of Rome by the Vandals

See also

In Spanish: Petronio Máximo para niños

• Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire

Sources