Owner Comments:
It is estimated that well over one hundred million distinct literary works exist, and the human race creates a few million additionally each year. This staggeringly vast, extant bibliography, comprising all known recordings of humanity’s knowledge, experience, and imagination, is actually quite small – perhaps only a few percent – compared to the total number of volumes ever created. Looking backwards in time, the surviving written records passed from each generation to the next falls off dramatically, with none prior to the Bronze Age. This trend explains why there are so many gaps and contradictions in ancient history, even regarding Roman Emperors and Empresses.
The ancient Romans valued books and the knowledge represented therein; dating back to the Republic, many aristocrats possessed coveted private libraries. This practice was borrowed from the Greeks, famous for their great libraries in Alexandria and Pergamum (as a small consolation, a relative wealth of Hellenistic culture survives today). Starting with Julius Caesar and his adoptive son Augustus, Rome’s rulers established new libraries, and added to those already in existence. As the Empire expanded, so too did its literary repositories, and as the Empire waned, many human records were regrettably lost or destroyed.
For some lands at the Empire’s fringes, recorded histories are rare or non-existent prior to Rome’s influence, and took generations for wider adoption. For example, Caesar’s
Gallic Wars stands as one the earliest books regarding ancient Britannia, whose local tribes slowly took up the pen over the centuries. Accordingly, such legends, particularly those recorded by the medieval Welsh, provide details regarding Magnus Maximus (ca. 335 – 388 AD), the last Roman Emperor to dominate Britannia.
The earliest recorded Welsh genealogies refer to Maximus as Macsen Wledig, founding father of many local kingdoms. Particularly fascinating is the 11th century work
Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig, the tale of Maximus’ dream after he fell asleep one afternoon in the woods outside Rome. He dreamt of taking a long journey overseas, and arriving at a great castle, resplendent with precious metals and gemstones. Before him appeared a royal family, including a young princess so beautiful that he fell instantly and utterly in love. Upon waking, Maximus met with an oracle who ordained the Roman patrician would marry his dream girl, provided that she could be found. Since Maximus had no idea where to look, he sent many messengers from Rome to scour the world for his maidenly apparition. Finally, the effort paid off; messengers arrived with news they indeed took a long journey overseas, succeeded in finding a great castle, resplendent with precious metals and gemstones, saw with their own eyes the scene of a royal family strikingly similarity to that described in the dream, including, of course, the beautiful young maiden, whose name was Elen Lhuyddog. The astute Elen refused to go to Italy, and insisted she would entertain Macsen only if he came to her. Needless to say, Macsen packed his bags and relocated to the outer Empire.
Admittedly, the
Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig, is a fictionalization, albeit - like many other ancient chronicles - one based on prior factual events. Indeed, many sources confirm Maximus' military presence on campaigns throughout Britannia. For instance, Maximus thwarted the attempted Britannic incursions of the Picts and Scots in 381 AD. Riding on his success, and considering the declining approval of Western Roman Emperor Gratian, Maximus accepted the invitation of his powerful Britannic armies to lead them on a quest for Rome’s Throne. By 383 AD, Gratian was eliminated, and his rightful successor, half-brother Valentinian II, along with the senior and Eastern Augustus, Theodosius, soon grudgingly approved Maximus as Western co-Augustus, ruling not only Britannia, but also Gaul, Hispania, and Africa.
Maximus advertised his new title on coins such as this silver siliqua struck in Treveri (modern day Trier). In case the obverse pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of the Emperor requires clarification, the obverse inscription proclaims D N MAG MAX-IMVS P F AVG. Whether a promise for the future, or reminder of bygone golden days, the reverse features the enthroned Roma proudly holding a globe and scepter.
Regarding Rome’s throne, the popular Maximus, who was rumored to have Constantinian blood, had further aspirations. Constantinian dynast or not, Maximus staunchly supported Nicene Christianity, and infamously persecuted those with alternative, and thus heretical, views. Maximus also promoted his own bloodline by naming his son, Flavius Victor, as co-Augustus. Having consolidated his power, Maximus proceeded to invade Italy in 387 AD. In response, Valentinian II escaped his western court to seek assistance from the Eastern Roman Empire. Theodosius answered the call; he mustered Constantinople's forces and headed west to grapple with his former co-Augustus-turned-usurper. A year of fierce battles ensued, and Maximus’ court was finally eliminated. The struggle took a severe toll on the Empire’s resources, and emboldened enemy tribes at the borderlands. The western Empire prioritized Italy’s defense, and, as necessary, relinquished outer realms for good, including Britannia.
We now approach the end of this latest account of Maximus, arguably last of the mighty Emperors in the west, perhaps the last Constantinian, and, certainly, the last Augustus to dominate Britannia. The question remains: did he actually get the girl? It is difficult to known for sure. Several ancient records confirm Maximus’ wife and the Britannic connection, although they differ, and in some cases contradict, in their details. Once again, the ancient Romans provide our modern world an important lesson. Certainty fades as we look back to the past, following the same trend as we look towards the future. Perhaps all we know for certain is the infinitesimally fleeting present.
Coin Details: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Magnus Maximus, AD 383-388, AR Siliqua (18mm, 2.26 g, 1h), Treveri (Trier) mint, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, D N MAG MAX-IMVS P F AVG, Reverse: Roma seated facing on throne, head left, holding globe and scepter, VIRTVS ROMANORVM, TRPS in exergue, References: RIC IX 84b1; RSC 20†a; Ex 2010 Gussage All Saints Hoard (PAS Ref. DOR-A1CCB1; NC 171 [2011], no. 54).