Maximinus (praetorian prefect)

Maximinus was a Roman barrister and Praetorian Prefect of the later fourth century AD.

He made his name prosecuting members of the Roman aristocracy on charges of witchcraft, encouraged by the zealous Christian emperor Valentinian and was widely unpopular because of this. Valentinian's religious beliefs and his class prejudice against the Roman nobility brought the two men close together. In 369 AD, Maximinus' brother in law, Valentinus committed an unrecorded but very serious crime. Maximinus was able to have Valentinus' sentence commuted from execution to exile and he was sent to Britain where he began planning a revolt that had to be pit down by Count Theodosius.

Within a year, Maximinus had been promoted to vicarius of Rome and then served as prefect of the Diocese of Gaul providing a direct link between the emperor and the civil administration in Roman Britain and Gaul. When Valentinian was replaced by Gratian Maximus was removed from his post as part of a purge of the old regime.