Lectionary Calendar
Monday, November 4th, 2024
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Maximus Petronius, Emperor of the West

Wace's Dictionary of Early Christian Biography

Search for…
Resource Toolbox

Maximus (3), Petronius, emperor of the West, A.D. 455; a descendant of the Maximus who usurped the empire in the time of Gratian (Procopius, Bell. Vand. i. 4). He was of one of the noblest and wealthiest families of Rome, was three times prefect of Rome and twice consul. To avenge the insult his wife had received from Valentinian III. (see Procopius, u.s. ), he caused him to be assassinated on Mark 16 or 17, 455. Maximus then seized the vacant throne, and compelled Eudoxia, the widow of Valentinian, to marry him a few days after her husband's death, his own wife having died shortly before. He also gave her daughter Eudocia to his son Palladius, whom he created Caesar (Idatius, Chronicon in Patr. Lat. li. 884). The outraged Eudoxia summoned Genseric king of the Vandals to avenge and deliver her. Genseric sailed with a mighty armament for Rome. Maximus endeavoured to fly, but the people and soldiery, headed by Valentinian's officers, rose against him, stoned him, tore him limb from limb and flung his mangled body into the river, probably on June 12, 455 ( Chronicon Cuspinianum ); thus he reigned rather under 3 months. The chronology is discussed at length by Tillemont in a note (Emp. vi. 628).

[F.D.]

Bibliography Information
Wace, Henry. Entry for 'Maximus Petronius, Emperor of the West'. A Dictionary of Early Christian Biography. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hwd/​m/maximus-petronius-emperor-of-the-west.html. 1911.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile