Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus vs Magnus Maximus

Maximinus Thrax led successful campaigns against Germanic tribes along the Rhine and Danube. He defeated the Alemanni and the Sarmatians, earning the title Germanicus Maximus and securing the frontiers, though at great cost to the treasury.

After the assassination of Emperor Severus Alexander, the Pannonian legions proclaimed their commander, Maximinus Thrax, as emperor. His accession marked the first time a man of non-senatorial, barbarian background became Roman emperor.

During the Year of the Six Emperors, Maximinus marched on Italy to suppress a senatorial rebellion. He besieged the city of Aquileia, but the prolonged siege drained his army's morale and supplies, leading to his downfall.

Disillusioned by the failed siege of Aquileia and Maximinus's harsh discipline, soldiers of the Legio II Parthica assassinated him in his tent. His son Maximus was also killed, ending his three-year reign and plunging the empire into further chaos.

Maximus's forces confronted Gratian near Paris. Gratian's army, largely composed of barbarian auxiliaries, deserted him. Gratian fled to Lugdunum (Lyon), where he was captured and executed on Maximus's orders. Maximus then controlled Gaul, Britain, and Spain.

Magnus Maximus, a Roman general of Spanish origin stationed in Britain, was proclaimed emperor by his troops. He crossed to Gaul with a large army, challenging the legitimate Western Emperor Gratian. This act initiated a civil war in the Western Roman Empire.

The Eastern Emperor Theodosius I, unable to immediately challenge Maximus, recognized him as co-emperor in the West. Maximus was granted control of Gaul, Britain, and Spain, while Valentinian II (Gratian's half-brother) retained Italy and Africa. This temporary peace lasted four years.

Maximus invaded Italy, forcing Valentinian II to flee to Theodosius in the East. Theodosius marched west and defeated Maximus's army at the Battle of the Save (modern Sava River in Croatia). Maximus was captured at Aquileia and executed.