Magnus Maximus, 383-388

Flavius Magnus Maximus (* 335, † 388) was emperor in the British-Gallic part of the Western Roman Empire from 383 to 388. While he commanded troops in Britain, the dissatisfaction of his soldiers grew with the reign of the Western Roman Emperor Gratian. Spontaneously, they proclaimed their commander to be ruler. Maximus moved to Gaul, where Gratian opposed him. At Paris, Gratian's army passed to Maximus and Gratian fled to Lyon. The Emperor in the East - Theodosius I - then recognized Maximus' rule and gave him control of the provinces beyond the Alps. In 387 Maximus moved to Milan to add Italy and the Illyricum to his sphere of influence. Theodosius I saw his rule threatened, equipped his army and beat Maximus in the summer of 387 in two battles. Maximus lay down his arms, surrendered to his former patron and was summarily executed.

Maximus coined mainly in Trier and Lugdunum. His coins almost always praise his victoriousness, the strength of his army and the glory of the Roman Empire, which he guarantees as a battle-hardened general. Thus, the coins show fortresses, defeated enemies of Rome and symbols of victory and domination.