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While many modern people who have any knowledge of Ancient Rome may be familiar with names such as Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian, and recognize that those leaders came from established and influential families, that was not always the case with all Emperors of the Romans. One example is a man with the name of Gaius Julius Verus.
Gaius was born in 172 or 173 CE in Thrace, a region northeast of Macedonia near the Black Sea, to a peasant father and an Alanic mother. Because of his place of birth, he became identified with the name of Thrax.
Not only did he begin life as a commoner, but many people in the Empire would have viewed him as a barbarian. He began life as a common soldier, enlisting in 190 CE, and gradually was promoted up the ranks. The story goes that Emperor Alexander noticed that one of the soldiers was unusually strong and had him promoted until he was eventually put in charge of a legion in Egypt in 232 CE. He next became the governor of the Roman province in Mesopotamia and finally leading recruits in Germany in 234 CE. Legend says that he was an astonishing 8’ tall! He used his physical strength and ferocity to gather power. He also gained the moniker Maximus because of his size.
In the Spring of 235 CE, the current Emperor Alexander Severus and his mother(!) attempted an offensive against the Germans. The entire purpose of this attack was to resurrect the young emperor's image with the army and people of Rome. Thrax was there, leading his troops.
In a shocking move, the emperor chose to negotiate instead of fight. This had the opposite effect on the army that the attack was supposed to have generated. The army was furious and rallied behind Maximus against Alexander. Both the emperor and his mother were assassinated. The army threw its support behind Maximus to be emperor. The Senate was not happy with someone from such a low birth leading the Empire, but had no choice once the Army and Praetorian Guard had decided.
After several plots against him were dealt with, he decided to continue the assault into German territory. A pontoon bridge built and his army crossed the Rhine, plundering and burning villages as they went with him in the lead.
Following a fierce battle near Wurttemberg and Baden and despite heavy losses, he was proclaimed Germanicus Maximus. Peace in the region was restored. From 235-236 CE he advanced towards the Danube, earning the titles of Dacius Maximus and Samaticus Maximus.
However, his problems lay not in Germany but back in Rome - a city he would actually never see. His push into Germany had drained the finances of the empire. Even worse, his cuts in subsidies on the city's grain supply harmed his reputation with the people, especially the poor. Herodian remarked,
After Maximus had impoverished most of the distinguished men and confiscated their estates, which he considered small and insignificant and not sufficient for his purposes, he turned to the public treasuries; all the funds which had been collected for the citizens' welfare or for gifts, all the funds being held in reserve for shows or festivals, he transferred to his own personal fortune.
As the Senate was never fond of having this giant sword-wielding barbarian as the emperor, and now that they found a reason to remove him from power, they threw their support behind an 80-year-old Senator from Africa. Maximus was declared an enemy of the state. Knowing his days were numbered, legend has it that he fled Italy in search of a more peaceful land to retire and have his relatives from Berwyn visit during the summer enjoying some good deep dish pizza.
Can you find the final resting place of Maximus_Thrax?
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This cache brought to you by the students enrolled in the Ancient European and Military History, and Genealogy Departments of Midstate Travel Bug University.
Part of the "When in Rome" series of mystery caches.
When in Rome 1: Do as the Romans Do
When in Rome 2: Chickens Rule
When in Rome 3: Ancient Rome!
When in Rome 4: #AMA
When in Rome 5: Roman Tic Tac Toe!
When in Rome 6: Show Your True Colors!
When in Rome 7: Seek Power!
When in Rome 8: Arm Yourself
When in Rome 9: Find a Nice Quiet Place to Retire
When in Rome 10: Relax and Read a Good Book