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 (son and successor of Constantine I), meet Julianus at Naissus. Julianus 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 promote Vulcacius Rufinus.[3] Maximus was still in charge on January 28 362, as attested an inscription[4].
During his tenure, there was plenty of groceries and no longer plebeians complaints[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 (son of Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus ) talks about him by using the name Clytholias Maximus[6] and finally we find him as Artorius Clytholias Maximus[7].
Clytholias Maximus[2] was nephew of Vulcatius Rufinus[8] and Neratius Cerealis and therefore a first cousin of Constantius Gallus (son of Neratia Galla, and half-brother of Julian the Apostate).
Notes
- ^ «Maximus 12», PLRE I, p. 581.
- ^ a b Corsini, Edoardo (1763). Series praefectorum urbis ab urbe condita ad annum mcccliii.
- ^ a b c Ammianus Marcellinus, XXI.13.25.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, XI.12.24.
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.