Maximus of Spain

The usurper, Maximus, sometimes called Maximus of Barcelona was a puppet emperor set up by Constantine III's general Gerontius at the time of his rebellion aginst his patron. Maximus himself was a rather obscure individual who was most likely the head of Gerontius' household, though some have described him as the general's actual son. He was deposed the following year following the death of Gerontius in the aftermath of the seige of Arles. He fled back to Spain and took refuge with his barbarian allies there, later being pardoned by Honorius and being permitted to retire into private life. Although this may be the end of his story, there is a record in the Chronica Gallica (452, no. 85) of a certain Maximus who rebelled in Spain about 420 AD. Two years later he was taken as prisoner to the Western court at Ravenna, where his execution in 422 formed part of the celebrations on the occasion of Honorius' tricennalia, of thirtieth anniversary of his rule. It is tempting to identify this usurper with the earlier Maximus of Barcelona , though there is no firm evidence to support this.