Maximus (urban prefect under Julian)

Roman politician

Maximus  (floruit 361–363) was a Roman politician.

## Biography

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Maximus was a member of the Roman senatorial class. It is speculated that he was the son of Valerius Maximus and second wife possibly a Vulcacia, supposedly the daughter of a Neratius Junius Flavianus. It has been postulated that they had two children, a son, Maximus, and a daughter, Valeria, who may have become a Christian through her possible marriage to a Rufius Maecius Placidus.[1]

Probably, it was Maximus to be sent by the usurper Magnentius to Emperor Constantius II and Vetranio in 350.[2]

In the late 361, Maximus and Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus, both sent by the Roman Senate to Emperor Constantius II, meet Julian at Naissus. Julian received them with all honors,[3] then he appointed Maximus as praefectus urbi of Rome in place of Tertullus (praefectus urbi); his choice was motivated by the desire to please Vulcacius Rufinus, uncle of Maximus.[4] Maximus was still in charge on January 28 362, as attested an inscription.[5]

During his tenure, the alimentaria was amply provided, which placated the inhabitants of Rome.[4]

The senator Maximus can be identified with the praefectus urbi of Rome from December 361 to February 363.[6]

Ammianus Marcelinus named him as Maximus,[4] the orator Quintus Aurelius Symmachus refers to him as Clytholias Maximus[7] and finally we find him as Artorius Clytholias Maximus.[8]

Clytholias Maximus[3] was nephew of Vulcatius Rufinus[4] and Neratius Cerealis and therefore a first cousin of Constantius Gallus (son of Galla, and half-brother of Julian the Apostate).

He may have married Saint Melania the Elder.[9] He may also be related, or identical with, a Basilius who served as governor of Achaea around the same period; both were probably descended from Valerius Maximus Basilius, praefectus urbi from 319 to 323.[10][11]

## Notes

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1. ^ Settipani, Christian, Continuité gentilice et continuité sénatoriale dans les familles sénatoriales romaines à l'époque impériale, (2000) p. 229
2. ^ «Maximus 12», PLRE I, p. 581.
3. ^ a b Corsini, Edoardo (1763). Series praefectorum urbis ab urbe condita ad annum mcccliii.
4. ^ a b c d Ammianus Marcellinus, XXI.12.24.
5. ^ AE 1904, 33
6. ^ Symmachus X ep. 54
7. ^ Symmachus X ep. 47
8. ^ Louis Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemont. Histoire des empereurs et des autres princes qui ont régné durant les six premiers siecles de l'Eglise. p. 741.
9. ^ PLRE I, pp. 1142, 1145, 1147
10. ^ PLRE I, pp. 148–149, 582, 1142, 1145, 1147
11. ^ Inge Mennen (26 April 2011). Power and Status in the Roman Empire, AD 193-284. BRILL. pp. 127–. ISBN 978-90-04-20359-4.

## Bibliography

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* «Maximus 13», PLRE I, p. 582.
* Henry M. Gwatkin, Studies of Arianism: Chiefly Referring to the Character and Chronology of the Reaction which Followed the Council of Nicea Wipf and Stock Publishers, ISBN 9781597521963.
* Louis Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemon, Histoire des empereurs et des autres princes qui ont régné durant les six premiers siecles de l'Eglise.