Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 27
Maximinus and his Son Maximus.
MAximinus spent his youth in keeping cattel, yet was advanced afterward for his |Ego (ut foreign, cui magna solet esse fides, testem faciam) Belgam (Antwerpianum se ferebat) in Galliis, Anno 1583. vidi novem pedes altitudine excedentem.stature which exceeded 8 foot by 6 fingers. Capitolinus in Maxim. c. 1. and in Maximino jun. c. 2. [Parsons by trade a Black-smith, the Kings Porter (anno 1624.) was found by just measure to be 7 foot and 2 inches. And I hear that a Welsh-man lately entertained by the Prince in the like place, outstrips the Smith in height by 5 inches, yet is still growing, so as in time he may well come unto 8 foot. Dr. Hakewil in his Apology,Merula Cosmographiae parte prima, l. 3. c. 14. l. 3. c. 3. sect. 3.]
His body was so great that his Wifes bracelet served him for a ring. Capitolinus in Maximino, c. 6.
His stomach was answerable; he eating daily 40, sometimes 60 pound weight of flesh; and drinking 6 gallons of wine. Id. Ibid. c. 4.
His strength was sutable; he being able to draw Wains loaden with his hands;Eodem tempore, quo Maximinus suae monstrosae fortitudinis opera hinc inde exercebat, ille admirandi r… boris gigas Starcatherus pugil Sueticus (cujus paulo ante meminimus) aliique quam plurimi, in prima Gothorum patria aditis ubique clarissimis & memorabilibus facinoribus viguerunt. Olaus Magnus fol. 445. to strike out the teeth of a horse with his fist, to break his thighs with a kick; to crumble tophy stones between his fingers, and to cleave young Trees: for which he was called Hercules, A…aeus, and Milo; as Achilles, Hector and Ajax, for his valour. Id. ib. c. 6. and 8.
Sept. Severus celebrating the birth-day of his Son Geta with military sports, gave the winners for a reward jewels, collars, bracelets, belts; Maximinus who was newly come to the army, and could scarce speak Latine came before him, entreating his leave that he might put forth himself in these exercises. Severus wondring at the greatness of his body, granted his request; but upon condition, that he should not encounter with any Soldier, *Nequid à rudi homine militaribus viris veniret injuriae, saith Iornandes in Geticis, c. 15.but with such as were water-bearers and servitors of the Camp, among which were very strong and stout men. Maximinus overcame 16 of them before he rested, receiving so many smaller rewards, but not such as were given to the Soldiers; and was listed for service. Three daies after the Emperor riding to view his Camp, saw Maximinus (who was yet but a fresh water-soldier) out of order; wherefore he commanded a Colonel to call him into his rank, and to instruct him in the duty he was to observe in the Wars: Maximinus imagining the Emperor spake of him, kneeled down at his feet. The Emperor desiring to see whether he could run well or no, spurred his horse and took several turns in the field; and seeing Maximinus left not off running, old Severus being tired said to Maximinus, Thracian, will you wrestle after your race? whereto he answered, So long as it shall please your Majesty. Then the Emperor chusing 7 of the strongest men in his army, Maximinus overcame them without resting between. Whereupon Severus commanded a collar of gold to be given to him alone, with certain pieces of silver; made him one of his guard, and commanded that he should continually attend in the Palace: by which means he came to be esteemed by the Commanders and Soldiers, and to obtain what he desired of the Emperor. Id. Ib. c. 2, 3.
He was diligent as well after, as before his preferment, saying; Ego quo major fuero, tanto plus laborabo: and rather than his Soldiers should be out of action, he employed them in hunting.
Even in his old age he would throw down 5, 6, or 7 Soldiers (whom he wrestled with) one after another; and being challenged by a Tribune who envied him, when they met, Maximinus gave him such a blow on the brest with the palm of his hand, that he threw him flat upon his back, saying in sport; Date alium sed Tribunum. Id. ib. c. 6.
Caracallo made Maximinus a Centurion; (in Macrinus his reign he left the army out of hatred to the assasinate of his Sovereign;) even Helagabalus permitted him to be a Tribune: but Alexander Severus gave him the command of a Legion, whose death notwithstanding he disloyally practised (as is before mentioned;) whereupon he was elected Emperor by the Soldiers, without the consent of the Senate. Id. ibid. c. 4, 5, 7, 8.
It appeareth unquestionably that he committed this villany (notwithstanding the doubts of some) because he killed all Alexanders relations and friends. Tristan.
He arrogantly usurped the names of Cajus Iulius Verus, and the proud Epithets of Invictus, Fortissimus and Nobilissimus; notwithstanding his ignoble extraction. Tristan.
He suffered no noble person to be about him, and out of a desire to conceal the baseness of his birth, slew even the best of his friends who were conscious of it. Lampridius, c. 19.
His tyranny caused many to conspire against him, which he discovering, took an occasion to renew his cruelty.
Maximinus first thanked Macedonius, who treacherously slew Tycus that had rebelled against him, but afterward put him to death as a Traitor. Capitolinus, c. 11.
Praeclarum tyranni factum, & verè singulare, nam tota vita unicum hoc laude dignum. Elenchus MS Numismatum in Bibliotheca Bodleiana.
He slew all of the faction of his adversary Magnus without any judicial process,Maximino imperium jam constabilitum obtinente, gravis omnes incessit poenitentia, quod acerbam tyrannidem moderato cum imperio commutassent. Zosimus, lib. 1. not satisfied with the slaughter of above 4000. Capitolinus, c. 10.
Maximus Pupienus (who made preparations at Ravenna to wage war against him by the Senates appointment) was exceedingly afraid of him, saying often; that he was not engaged against a man, but a Cyclops: and Balbinus (who was made his Collegue in the Empire by the Senate, and staid at Rome) trembled at the naming of him.
He was so feared at Rome, that when he was in Italy, the women with their children prayed solemnly in their Temples that he might never return; having heard that some were crucified by him, some inclosed in beasts newly killed, others cast to wild beasts, others bruised with clubs, without any regard to the quality of persons. Id. ibid. c. 8.
For his cruelty (which he thought necessary for his security) he was hated, and called Cyclops, Busiris, Scyron, Phalaris, Typhon, and Gyges. Id. ib. and c. 9.
He was so infatuated with the confidence of his own greatness & personal strength, that he entertained a conceit, that death durst not adventure to encounter him, for fear of having his Javelin broke about his own crazy skull, and all his Skeleton of bones rattled to dust. Dr. Charleton's Darkness of Atheism dispelled by the light of nature, p. 178.
Because he thought himself immortal, he was covertly defied in the Theatre by a Comoedian in these verses:
Qui ab uno non potest occidi, à multis occiditur:
Elephas grandis est, & occiditur:
Leo Fortis est, & occiditur:
Tigris fortis est, & occiditur:
Cave multos, si singulos non times.
Capitolinus, c. 9.
What was spoken in sport, befel him in earnest; for Maximinus hasting with his army towards Rome to be revenged of the Senate which intended resistance, was opposed at Aquileja, where women made bow-strings of their hair to shoot against him;Capitolinus in Maximino jun. & in Maximo & Balbino. at which repulse he became so furious that he killed many of his own Soldiers, wherewith the rest being enraged slew him and his Son, saying; Canis pessimi ne catulus quidem relinquendus: Of a bad litter not a whelp is to be left.
He was 65 years old when he dyed, and his Son 21.
The time of their reign is not agreed upon.
The Messenger who brought word of their death, came from Aquileja to Rome (798 miles) in 4 daies. Capitolinus, c. 25.
Magna sane diligentia: sed non incredibilis; cum similis celeritatis aut etiam majoris exempla & apud veteres legantur, & hodieque edi saepissimè videamus. Constat hodiernos veredarios Roma Lutetiam saepe diebus sex septem commeare: quae longè major contentio est. Casaubonus.
When his head with his sons were brought to Rome, all ran to the Altars to thank the Gods, and Balbinus sacrificed Hecatombs for his deliverance, commanding the same to be done throughout the Empire.Maximinus junior tantae pulchritudinis fuit, ut passim amatus sit a procacioribus feminis. nonnullae etiam optaverunt de eo concipere. Capitolinus in Maximino jun. c. 1.
Scribit Aelius Sabinus (quod pretermittendum non fuit) tantam pulchritudinem oris suisse in filio, ut etiam caput ejus mortui jam nigrum, jam sordens, jam maceratum, defluente tabo, velut umbra pulcherrima videretur. Denique quum caput Maximini pilo circumferretur, & ex hoc ingens gaudium esset, prope par moeror erat, quod & filii caput pariter portaretur. Capitolinus in Maximino juniore, c. 6.
Maximinus was the Author of the 6. persecution,Persecutio ista sub Maximino Imp. post diuturnam Ecclesiae pacem repente oborta est ob frequentes & gravissimos terrae motus, quos more suo Gentiles Christianis imputabant ut testis est Firmilianus in Epistola ad Cyprianum. Vide Baronium ad annum Christi 237. Valesius in Eusebium, p. 127. which Tristan thinks he raised only that he might confiscate the Christians goods, his sacrilegious covetousness not permitting him to spare Heathen Temples.
As this persecution was the shortest, so it was the most violent; not of the common sort so much, as of their especial Leaders: who were either cut off from them, or hirelings intruded for them, or their flock set up against them. Bishop Prideaux in his Introduction to History, out of Chrysostom.
Hujus Maximini monumenta sunt, Bracarae Augustae vicus & porta Maximini, quae hodie quoque post tot saecula nomen retinent. Certum est Romanos omnes Imperatores tum per se tum per magistratus, res praeclaras in Hispania gessisse. Quod tum ex plurimis ipsorum monumentis, tum ex antiquis numismatis constat. Quae ego omnium ferè Imperatorum insignita nominibus vidi, & pleraque etiam habeo penes me, multa largitus amicis. Vasaeus in Chron. Hispan. p. 266.
Bistoniis armenta jugis paulo ante regebas,
Romani fraenos qui regis Imperii.
Boissardus.