Maximinus Thrax: From Common Soldier to Emperor of Rome

by Paul N. Pearson

The first full-length biography of the half-barbarian emperor.Maximinus was a Thracian tribesman “of frightening appearance and colossal size” who could smash stones with his bare hands and pull fully laden wagons unaided. Such feats impressed the emperor Severus who enlisted Maximinus into the imperial bodyguard whereupon he embarked on a distinguished military career. Eventually he achieved senior command in the massive Roman invasion of Persia in 232 AD, and three years later he became emperor himself in a military coup—the first soldier ever to assume the imperial throne.Supposedly more than seven feet tall (it is likely he had a pituitary disorder), Maximinus was surely one of Rome’s most extraordinary emperors. He campaigned across the Rhine and Danube for three years until a rebellion erupted in Africa and the snobbish senate engaged in civil war against him.This is a narrative account of the life and times of the Thracian giant, from his humble origins up to and beyond the civil war of 238 AD. Replete with accounts of treachery, assassination, and civil war, Maximinus Thrax is written for enthusiasts of Roman history and warfare.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Roman History, Roman, Ancient

Hardcover

First published October 30, 2015

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating study of a unique and little-known character from Roman history -- the 3rd century emperor, the 8 foot tall Maximinus Thrax [The Thracian]. Based on not-always-completely-accurate primary material of the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as on archaeological finds, the author has pieced together what he feels is the most accurate, and taken educated guesses as to anything else. Maximinus came from Thracian peasant stock; parents were most probably barbarians. He entered the army as a common soldier and his military ability, great size, and strength earned him quick promotions. He finally was acclaimed emperor, unwillingly, I might add, upon the assassination of the then current emperor, Alexander Severus, a young man under his evil mother's thumb. But he did don the purple; his focus was always the army with an eye to subduing Germans and Dacians [modern Romania]. He left no architectural monuments. The book concentrated then on his reign, defects, strengths, assassination at the hands of the army after Aquileia. The book stressed his cruelty, neglect of the city of Rome--he never even went there-- and the reason for his unusual physique--most probably acromegaly, [gigantism], a pituitary disorder. Although cruel, he was not dissolute or debauched like Nero, Caligula or Elagabalus. He genuinely loved his wife, Paulina, and deified her upon her death. I feel had he not become emperor, he would have become a great general and European history may have had a different outcome. After death, his memory was damned [damnatio memoriae], in that his name and those of his wife and son were scratched out of inscriptions and any statues destroyed.

This book read quickly and was a good general survey of Maximinus's life, accomplishments, "what might have been" had he lived longer, and the rest of the third century. I feel it was a good study intended for the general reader, interestingly written. As a side note: Harry Sidebottom's Throne of the Caesars series is a good fictional representation of this period.

Highly recommended.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two words that I associate with this book: assassination and padding. It is a short book because Maximinus Thrax ruled only three years (235-238 A.D.) so much of what the book contains is about other rulers, starting basically with Commodus of 'Gladiator' fame. The emperors move along at the speed of a chariot race, and rarely die peacefully in bed until Septimus Severus, who encourages Maximinus in his loyalty to Rome, even though he is barely literate and is considered a barbarian because of his birth in Thrace.

Maximinus learns his trade as a soldier well, and excels at training others to fight for Rome. Of course, he does have an advantage since he is, more or less, a giant and in excellent physical shape. He is even popular with his men. He is one of those military men who is most comfortable with other men although he does marry and has a son (and maybe a daughter) before his wife dies. His real life is serving Rome since he is now a citizen.

Following Severus is Alexander Severus, a young man who probably engineered his brother's death. Together Maxinimus and Alexander go east to fight the remnants of what had been the Persian Empire. From this section up to 238 A.D. is probably the most interesting of the book as we learn about Rome's efforts to contain the borders in the east. Warfare is constant and the power of the army is often in opposition to the wishes of Rome itself. In 235 A.D. trouble again brews as Alexander is killed, and Maximinus is reluctantly (or not) proclaimed Emperor.

For the next three years he continues the fight against the barbarians. To do so he is ruthless in raising money to sutain his war. Naturally enough, many Romans do not like the taxes, the way their lands are confiscated, and the fact that Maximinus doesn't even bother to return to Rome to do his civil duties. Rebellion breaks out in Africa, spreads to Rome, and two new Emperors are named, one to handle the fighting and one to handle Rome itself.

In his last great effort to hold on to what he has, Maximinus besieges Aquileia, only to be assassinated (along with his son) by some of his disgruntled men. Surprisingly, this is not the end of the book since the author discusses those who came after as well. He also discusses Maximinus in literature, even modern literature.

This is the part that was heavily padded. I believe the author really wanted to add more so that the book was longer. Instead I found it repetitive and eventually boring. That's the problem with needing to rely on two main works for information, Herodian's HISTORY OF THE EMPIRE and the Augustan history, which was writen later. If you are interested in the history of Rome, you might be more interested than I was in most of this. It would have been better as a long magazine article than as a short book.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice biography of a little known Roman emperor. A strange tale. Maximinus was alleged to have been a giant--very tall and robust. His life began as a barbarian. Over time, he began a career in the military and rose through the ranks, finally becoming one of the leaders in the Roman army.

One caution with this book--and the author acknowledged it. Much of the information about Maximinus comes from contemporary accounts, some better than others. Such accounts can be less than accurate. Still, the author is judicious in his use of sources (including archaeological data).

The story is fascinating, as Maximinus rises in the military hierarchy. His predecessor (Alexander) is assassinated (an all-too-typical event in that era of Rome's history). Maximinus then became emperor. He quickly pursued military action on the northern border of the empire (e.g., crossing the Rhine). He spent most of his reign in the field, addressing aggression from barbarians and others who were enemies of Rome. A very costly venture, leading to high taxes throughout the Roman Empire, and generating dissatisfaction as a result.

Matters turned critical in Rome, and Maximinus began moving some of his legions to restore order. In the process, he began to lose control of his army and shared the fates of so many Roman leaders--assassination.

Given the paucity of hard information, this book succeeds pretty well. The author is judicious in using available sources. A good work on the life of a lesser known emperor.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maximinus Thrax: From Common Soldier to Emperor of Rome is a generally well-written narrative of the titular emperor’s reign (235-38). With the death of Alexander Severus in 235, the Roman Empire entered a 50-year period of civil war and economic and social upheaval known as “The Crisis of the Third Century.” By its end, the ascension of Diocletian in 285, Augustus’ Principate had been transformed. Maximinus was the first of those remarkable Illyrio-Danubian emperors who laid the foundations upon which Diocletian and his successors, particularly Constantine, recreated the empire and bequeathed it another two centuries of dominance.

Most of our information about Maximinus comes from Herodian’s History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius, which covers 180-238, and the so-called Augustan Histories, a scurrilous compilation of fact and fantasy that the historian relies upon at her peril. Despite his senatorial bias, Herodian’s history is a balanced account of the emperor’s reign, and Pearson uses a variety of other sources to squeeze as much blood as possible out of these turnips.

The Thracian, as Maximinus was known as, first came to prominence under Septimius Severus, when his prodigious size and strength brought him to the emperor’s attention and secured him a place in Septimius’ bodyguard. He was not just another “pretty face,” however. Maximinus developed into a good soldier and charismatic leader. In the wake of Alexander Severus’ failed military campaigns against Persia and the Germans and his subsequent murder, Maximinus was proclaimed emperor and immediately carried out a successful punitive expedition against the latter. Unfortunately, Maximinus was far less successful as a politician. He worked under several handicaps, perhaps the most critical being that he wasn’t from the senatorial class. And in order to finance the military expenditures necessary to preserve the empire, he alienated said class with extortionate confiscations of wealth. It was a situation that couldn’t last. The Senate raised a revolt against the “upstart” that eventually succeeded. Maximinus and his son were murdered while besieging Aquileia. Balbinus and Pupienus, the candidates raised to the purple by the Senate, didn’t long enjoy their victory. Discontented elements in the army and the Roman mob murdered them only weeks after the Thracian’s death.

I would recommend this to general readers interested in Roman history. And despite not being a rigorous academic biography, Pearson’s bibliography and endnotes are thorough and a source of further study.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rounding this up to four stars, ironically due to the fact that the titular character is not the main focus of the book. It is, in fact, probably the most concise summation of the insanity of the post-Pax Romana world and the chaos of the 3rd century empire, as emperors were made and unmade at the whim of the army and the Praetorian Guard. Maximinus is only one of many sideshows in this tale of the most epic crap show in Roman history, but his part in all this does add to the entertainment value.

[Brian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly interesting biography of one of the more easily over-looked Roman Emperor's of the 3rd century BC. Actually, one of the more engaging explorations of the early 3rd century in general, as it follows Maximinus - who apparently had giganticism - moving up in the world from brawler, to imperial bodyguard, to leader of the ceremonial guard, to commander of Rome's legions, and finally, emperor.

[Conway Herzog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about what is know about this little known Roman Emperor. Author tries get as much information from primary sources as possible and is honest about the limitations of those sources. A great introduction read about the crisis of the third century in Rome.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some history I was somewhat unfamiliar with, so that made it kind of worthwhile. But Maximinus dies a little more than halfway through the book, then the author goes on a speculative ramble about a bronze statue. Where was this guy's editor? Ugghh...

[Rich Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maximinus Thrax by Paul N. Pearson

Summary: Maximinus was a giant of an emperor. Quite literally. He’s been described as seven or even eight feet tall and strong enough to crush stones with his bare hands. Born to parents of “barbarian” background, likely of Alan and Gothic descent, Maximinus rose through the ranks after being selected as Septimius Severus’s bodyguard.

Despite becoming Princeps and his military success along the Rhine and Danube, the Roman aristocracy never fully accepted someone they viewed as being of such low birth. Which, of course, leads us straight into civil war and another cycle of assassinations.

The best way to approach this book is not as a Maximinus biography, but as a story of the chaotic years that followed the assassination of Alexander Severus in 235 AD. Maximinus’ rise to the purple (he was likely in on the coup), his war-filled reign, and the year 238 which saw six different claimants to the throne form the core pages here. With limited surviving sources on Maximinus himself, Pearson focuses on the broader crisis unfolding across the empire which I wasn't mad about.

Pearson’s telling of these events was incredibly engaging and you start to feel a bit of claustrophobia closing in on Rome. If the empire’s stability began to loosen under Commodus, crack under Caracalla, and strain under Elagabalus, then the era of Maximinus feels like the moment where the downward slide becomes apparent to everyone. This period marks the early stages of what would become the Crisis of the Third Century.

Overall, I recommend this if you are interested in the transition into the Crisis of the Third Century.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid coverage of what we know of the life of Maximinus Thrax. It is well footnoted for a narrative history. It is also much more than just a biography. The coverage of the Severan dynasty, the Sassanid Empire, the actions of the senate leading up to the death of Maximinus and the reigns of first few emporers after is well done. However, the narrative gets somewhat long-winded at times when covering points that aren't very important. Additionally, the last quarter of the book, focusing on the legacy of Maximinus, was dry, overly detailed and much too long.

[Mike Speer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great.

Lots of supposition. Best guesses with dubious sources. But then history is written by the victors. Save you time and money.

[Alex Helling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maximinus Thrax was not your usual Roman Emperor. He did not come from an aristocratic lineage and indeed was likely half barbarian. His route to power came through the army; he was first recognised for his immense strength and stature getting senior positions in Emperor Septimus Severus’ bodyguard and working his way up from there. Coming to power in a coup was however not so unusual even in 235 AD and was to become all too frequent in the subsequent decades. As emperor he launched ambitious attempts to check and punish the germanic and gothic tribes who had been penetrating the Danube and Rhine frontiers and was to fall to another usurper. Thrax’s career is therefore tempestuous and perfect for a fast paced thrilling popular history such as Paul N Pearson has written in Maximinus Thrax from common soldier to Emperor of Rome.

Is it a biography? The book is explicitly about Maximinus Thrax but this being the third century our sources are quite thin on detail Pearson therefore needs to put in quite a lot of educated guesswork. And as a result as Pearson himself notes right at the start “my wider ambition is to use the subject to explore the much neglected history of the early third century in the west and especially the troubled 230s”. So not really a biography, more a narrative of the dramatic start to the ‘crisis of the third century’ when Rome tottered, was split up, emperors were lucky to last months let alone years on the throne, and invasion threatened pretty much everywhere. It is therefore a significant period that many would finger as the start of the fall of the Roman Empire. So those wanting a straight biography may be somewhat disappointed.

Given Maximinus Thrax’s seizure of power could be said to be a turning, or perhaps more accurately tipping point there is perhaps less about the implications than there could be. Pearson is keen to keep up the pace of the narrative rather than exploring the implications of Thrax toppling the Emperor Severus Alexander and being installed in his place without even a fig leaf of legitimacy for cover. This action very clearly shows might is right, and any army general can aspire to the purple. Though it is noted as a pivotal moment it is also not very well covered in the chapter on legacy, which is more focused on what he did while Emperor and his reputation as seen by posterity.

But it is hard to complain too much for an exploration of the tipping point would have broken up what is an excellent narrative. Of course the narrative is not all there is in the book; there is the element of legacy and historical memory/historiography that is quite academic - and so not the most interesting bit. More unusual and peculiar is a chapter on identifying a statue in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a depiction of Maximinus Thrax. This is very much tacked on at the end and not very relevant to the main narrative, though I can see why Pearson felt it a good opportunity to make the case for his identification here.

The maps are good and helpful showing Roman territory and campaigns Thrax fights as emperor. The annex on the sources is occasionally helpful as they are referred to throughout the text. While the annex on the differing chronologies that have been offered are probably less helpful unless you have read one of those works with a chronology and found it does not quite fit with the text here!

An excellent narrative to the tipping point from a Rome of stability to the instability of the ‘crisis of the third century’. A gripping story that deserves to be better known - something Pearson’s ‘biography’ come narrative makes a start in putting right.

[Gavin O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, well researched and nuanced approach to narrating the life of an oft forgotten and obscure man who was once hailed by millions as 'Imperator' and held the exalted rank of 'Augustus', Paul N Pearson's 'Maximinus Thrax' is a must have for anyone looking to expand their collection of roman imperial biographies and/or their knowledge of the early-mid 3rd century imperial politics.

Though Pearson admits that his work is primarily intended to be a popular narrative history rather than a purely academic affair, his contribution to the study of the person that was Maximinus Thrax, the Thracian (possibly the coolest name of any roman emperor), can not be in doubt. To many historians, both ancient and modern, Maximinus was but a small footnote in Roman history whose only contribution was to usher in the beginning of the 3rd century crisis with the overthrow of his predecessor before suffering a similar fate almost three years later.

Pearson however focuses not on the failings of Maximinus, but rather what it was that allowed him to achieve the throne in the first place. While history has primarily remembered the 'first barbarian to achieve the purple' Pearson unveils a heroic soldier whose courage, sense of duty and tenacity allowed to him rise through the social ranks of the Roman world before achieving the ultimate station and with the popular support of the army in place of an emperor who was seen to be ultimately failing in his responsibilities as their commander.

Alas while Maximinus was certainly no fool (and hardly illiterate) and was a brilliant general, campaigning further into Germania than possibly any emperor since Augustus, he did fail to fully understand the role of his position as still being that of an urban magistrate as well as a commander. Nor did he understand the full pressure which his wars were having on imperial finances and the population at large, a factor which would ultimately lead to his downfall.


Even so, in the final chapter Pearson argues that while his political legacy to the empire was one of failure, Maximinus' personal legacy among the army was one of continued exaltation. Herein Pearson argues that the large 3rd century bronze attributed to later emperor Trebonius Gallus is actually that of Maximinus, dedicated by the imperial horse guards whom he once commanded and supported his claim as emperor and which could not be removed from their barracks as a result of his popularity, even after death.

Some flaws do exist in Pearson's work, a major one being his lack of footnotes to certain arguments or claims which he makes, but these a fortunately uncommon and the cohesion of the work as a whole stands the test. He is also perhaps a little too trusting of works, such as the Historia Augusta, in the creation of his biography of the early years of Maximinus but given the lack of material we must not be too harsh.

Overall this is a long overdue work on the re-evaluation of a man long since condemned as a tyrant by us but who was a hero to many. I would happily recommend it to anyone interested in the colorful characters of Roman History

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of different feelings so I'm hoping this review will help me come to peace with it. What did I like about it? The author covers a period of Roman History that is somewhat neglected because there aren't a lot of reliable sources covering it. That doesn't mean that interesting things didn't happen during this period though. In this book, you get a nice history of both before Maximinus Thrax's life and after it. If you think this whole book will be about him then you may find the wide-ranging focus disappointing. Thrax's demise is probably the most tense and interesting part and more people should know about how much of a disaster it nearly was.

I would also say the author did a nice job making everything approachable to just about any reader. You don't need to know a lot about Roman History to enjoy this book. The writing style is clear and easy to follow as well. I also enjoyed the pictures and the discussion of Roman coins sprinkled throughout. I collect Roman coins a bit just like the author does and it is a really neat hobby that tells you interesting things about important figures of Roman history.

That all sounds pretty good, why did I only give this book three stars? Well, there isn't a lot of new information or interpretation in this book to make it highly recommended. I've read the Augustan Histories and while it is certainly dubious in places, most of what happens in this book was not new to me. I was hoping and kind of expecting to learn something new about Maximinus Thrax that might make me appreciate him better but that just didn't happen. It doesn't help that the book isn't especially long and a good chunk of the book pertains to people who preceded Thrax or took over after him. That makes the title seem a bit misleading as this book is as much about the Severan and post-Severan period of Rome as it is about Thrax himself. The author's dilemma is that if you don't talk about the before and after, you really don't have a full-fledged book so I understand why the book is the way that it is. I just expected a bit more than I got. While I don't want to say the book feels padded, it does have a few extraneous parts. The ending which talks about a famous statue that is likely Maximinus felt tacked on and it was an unexciting way to wrap things up. Sections like this do not help you feel like the book is a good value for money, unfortunately.

How you feel about this book will depend on whether you've been exposed to this period of Roman History or not. If it is new to you, then you'll likely find this book pretty interesting. Maximinus Thrax is approachable and enjoyable to read. If you're well-read in Roman History, then you may find that the book is satisfactory but there isn't enough new material to make it an essential read. In my case, I'm glad to have read it but I plan on donating it soon so that hopefully someone else who might enjoy it even more than me can give it a try.

[Berry Muhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An appealing, improbable rags-to-riches account. And a true story. As true as historians and archaeologists can make it, anyway.

Maximinus was a barbarian giant, presumed to be Thracian, who won over the emperor Septimius Severus by performing feats of strength, securing for himself an enlistment and an appointment to that emperor's personal guard. His meteoric rise to general, and then to emperor, is the tale told here. But it's a rather thin tale, given the paucity of confirmed evidence. The author makes the read worthwhile by providing a wealth of supporting information, including the backstory of Severus' ascension and the state of the empire in general. The geopolitics of the day remain relevant throughout this biography, as they continue to inform Maximinus' career, including his brief tenure as emperor.

Pearson draws on a wide range of sources, noting that some are questionable at best, and noting also that some contradict each other (or at least give diverging accounts of aspects of Maximinus' life). Was he a ruthless tyrant, incapable of rising above his barbarian roots? Or was he maligned and misunderstood, intent only on strengthening Rome by simplifying the empire's northern borders and punitively addressing Germanic incursions? Whatever his intentions may have been with regard to Rome's direction and his own power, he was a military man first and foremost, and by all accounts was a brilliant tactician. However, his focus on martial matters dramatically increased the government's demand for taxes, virtually guaranteeing his unpopularity with the masses...an unpopularity that was all too easily stoked by anti-commoner, anti-barbarian bigotry. Nor can he be blamed for the entirety of the military's efforts during this time; the eastern borders were being threatened, for the first time in generations, by a resurgent Persian empire, and there was a very real need to address that threat.

What might have been had he survived the first three years of his reign, we will never know. But it is generally agreed that he marks a turning point in history; his downfall is the start of the Third Century Crisis in Roman history.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would not be surprised to learn that this book has become the definitive treatment of the life and times of the Roman emperor Maximinus Thrax (reigned 235-238 A.D.) for a long time to come. The author takes into account all the extant ancient written sources, the previous scholarship of the past few hundred years, and the relevant archaeological discoveries, as well as the evidence of numismatics and statuary.

The third century was a turbulent time for the Roman Empire, with very few emperors dying natural deaths, and Maximinus was no exception. Born in the Balkans of non-Roman parentage, he enlisted and rose in the Roman army to the highest rank. In 235 the previous emperor Severus Alexander was murdered and Maximinus was acclaimed emperor by the army. A few years later, he was murdered in turn. Professor Pearson lays out all the ins and outs of what and why things happened the way they did, a blow by blow description, to the extent that they can be pieced together from the oft times scanty and not always reliable evidence.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid account of an under-represented Roman Emperor from the 3rd century, Maximinus Thrax. It was interesting to better understand the power of the Roman army in politics and the ascension of the 8-foot Thracian through military achievements to Emperor without spending any substantial time in Rome itself. As others have noted, the book covers more than just Maximinus with good background on the prior 2 emperors and some of the neighboring powers.

The author switches between easy-going, conversational style and textbook history (awkwardly at times) and goes down a few rabbit holes that stray from the main focus (example - page after page after page coverage of a bronze statue that *might* depict Thrax), but overall a healthy read for a Roman history fan. I am going with 3 stars but would recommend to the right audience.

[Chad Manske · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and written bio of a little-known Thracian giant who went from being an enlisted soldier and guard to the Roman emperor Serverus, to himself becoming emperor in a military coup in 235 AD. Maximinus was over 7 feet tall (likely a result of a pituitary disorder) who was both feared and loved by those he came in contact. His meteoric rise resulted from successful campaigns across the Rhine and Danube against Germanic tribes, and his eventual undoing would be a civil war in 238 in which both he and his son would lose their lives. For those who love Roman history, and those of its emperors, this 2016-published book is perfect reading!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written biographer of one of the first Barbarian Emperors. Towards the end of the narrative, the story veers to more of a history of Rome in the turbulent Year of 6 Emperors vs. a narrative of Maximinus Thrax' life.

[Mick Maye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maximinus short but strong

A good book to read which covers the period before and till the end of Maximinus reign. This also explains what was to come.

[Jerry-Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was a Thracian and a commoner. He rose through the ranks to become a general. He was a giant. At age 60 he may have been Rome's best general. This was the middle of the third century AD. Rome faced threats from barbarian tribes such as the Germans and Dacians as well as the Persian Empire. The Empire was ruled by Alexander Severus the boy/emperor who was in turn controlled by his mother. On a campaign against the German tribes, Alexander Severus and his mother unwisely decided to pay a bribe to the Germans rather than fight them. This action made the troops unhappy and they revolted killed the Emperor in 235 AD and his mother and re-placed him with General Maxi inus. The author had many obstacles in writing this biography. There was only one true source for this period, the historian Herodian. I thought he ingeniously filled in the gaps by reviewing what archaeology tells us about the period. For example, if Emperor Maximinus fought a battle in German lands was there archeological evidence of the battle such as weapons, coins, and debris? As the author notes Emperor Maximinus faced many problems as Emperor: first, he was the first commoner to become Emperor, second, he was not a Roman but a Thracian, third, he had no education or training as an aristocrat, and fourth, many resented how he came to power in a military coup overthrowing the Severan dynasty. Nonetheless, the author notes Emperor Maximinus eliminated the German and Dacian threats with successful wars. However, as the author notes the wars were expensive and the necessary taxation created resentment. His end was peculiar. A revolt started in Africa due to resentment against Emperor Maximinus' heavy handed administrator in that province. Even though the African revolt was squelched and the new Emperor Gordian killed the Roman Senate had accepted the revolt and dethroned Emperor Maximinus who was in winter quarters with the army on the northern frontier with Dacia. One would think with his army and with the death of the rebel Gordian Emperor Maximinus could easily have regained the throne. However, his comeback to Rome was delayed when he attempted to conquer the walled border city of Aquilera which is near present day Croatia. His seige stalled and the army lacked food. Part of the army became resentful and assassinated Emperor Maximinus. Of course, the army knew the Roman Senate had declared him an enemy of the state. Even though he may have been Rome's best general, I don't understand why he became bogged down with the seige of Aguilera. It was a tremendous miscalculation. In addition to this mistake, he may have been a great general but he did not have any political gifts and he failed to appoint good subordinates in Rome and Africa. I think he should be compared to the Byzantine Emperor Basil I, the Macedonian. Like Maximinus, Basil I was a foreign commoner who rose through the ranks. Like Maximinus he was a successful general. Like Maximinus he assassinated the prior Emperor in 867 Ad and took over the throne. Like Maximinus, Basil I had no education. Unlike Maximinus Basil I was a "great" administer and established a successful dynasty. Thus, Emperor Basil I shows it was not impossible to be a successful Emperor even though you were a foreign commoner. The author faced many obstacles in writing this book. There were few sources. Since Maximinus was assassinated, his reputation was maligned by his successors. The author does have to engage in some detective work to try to ascertain Maximinus's acutal height, his appearance and the location of his battles.

In summary, perhaps the career of Emperor Maximinus illustrates the Peter Principle "managers rise to the level of their incompetence". He rose to be a successful general. Due to that success, he was acclaimed Emperor by the troops, a role he was ill-equipped to fulfill.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maximinus Thrax is an excellent entree into the waning years of the Severan dynasty and the beginning of the Roman Empire’s crisis of the third century. It centers on the dramatic figure of Maximinus, a “barbarian” from Thrace who rose from commoner, to soldier, to equestrian, to general, to senator, to commander, to the ruler of the world’s most powerful empire. Maximinus was an extraordinary man known for great feats of force and valor, said to be eight feet tall and so strong he could punch the teeth out of a horse. But he was also an exceptionally able military strategist, whose tactical brilliance and personal courage earned him superstardom across the Roman army. His rise to become the first non-noble Roman emperor is one of the most surprising outcomes of the third century and was identified by early scholars as the start of a chaotic era that led to the fall of classical Rome.

Author Paul Pearson tells the story of Maximinus’s ascension and fall with verve, drama, and careful attention to the sources and archaeology. I appreciated that the book is not only an engaging story of the third century and a personality-laden biography and evaluation of Maximinus’s life, but that it is also open about how it approaches the tricksy ancient works on which it relies. It’s appropriately skeptical of the Historia Augusta, for example, but includes it as a source when it finds sufficient corroboration (and to provide asterisked flavor and humor). It also contains helpful maps and plates, a fun postscript, and a useful reference section.

Overall, an entertaining, educational, and balanced read, presented with a wonderful voice.

[Gareth Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Pearson's biography of Maximinus Thrax fills a large gap in Roman imperial biographies. The subject of the biography was the first of the so-called "barracks emperors" who were constantly overthrowing each other during the Crisis of the Third Century. Maximinus was a giant of a man (rumored to have been between 7 and 8 feet tall)who rapidly rose through legionary ranks while serving under the Severans. He overthrew and murdered Emperor Severus Alexander in 235 AD and reigned until his own assassination just three years later.

The Crisis of the Third Century is an immensely difficult topic to explore, yet Paul Pearson not only highlights the events of Maximinus's life, but he also contextualizes the Crisis itself. His decision to continue the narrative of what happened in the wake of Maximinus's death is a deeply welcomed one.

Pearson does a great job in balancing ancient textual sources, such as the works of Herodian or the problematic Augustan History, with archaeological sources. This balance allows for Pearson's biography to steer clear from the inaccuracies and fabrications of the Augustan History.

While Pearson's is adept at utilizing sources and explaining the complexities of the Third Century, he has a tendency to summarize the honors which were awarded to Maximinus without explaining their significance. This, however, is a minor flaw in what is a fantastic biography of an overlooked Roman Emperor. Those with an interest in Rome's crisis years would do very well grabbing a copy of "Maximinus Thrax."

[Jeff Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its title , this is less a book about the emperor Maximinus Thrax (the Thracian) than it is about the the volatile decade of 230 CE in Rome. Maximinus is the centre upon which this narrative is woven but the author — Paul Pearson — clearly disabuses the reader in the very first sentence of the introduction of any notion that this is character-driven biography: “...my wider ambition is to use the subject [Maximinus Thrax] to explore the much neglected history ... of the troubled 230s.” And explore he does. With the help of ancient sources reliably sure-footed (Herodian) and remarkably questionable (Cordus, Dexippus, and the Augustan History) Pearson has brought to life, as much as perhaps possible after 1700 years of time and suspect history, the Gordian emperors, the unfortunately named and short-lived (as Augusti) Pupienus and Balbinus, and of course “the Orge” himself, Maximinus.

There were many Times of Crisis for the Roman Empire but if one is interested in this particular period of the early 3rd century CE, this book should be on your shelf, or, better yet, in your hands, being read.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, written as if a biographical text book for a course on the Roman Empire, although somewhat abridged, focusing a little known Roman emperor, Maximinus Thrax of the 3rd century who was a barbarian (Thrace) that started as a common soldier. Evidently based on historical data he was inflicted with gigantism and in his case fortuitously so as his imposing stature, strength and military training/background got him to where no other such person of his "lowly" birth could possibly hope to rise, that being undisputed emperor of the Roman Empire. Now I love history and have always been enamored with the Roman Empire for as long as I can remember. I also took two years of Latin in HS when I thought for a hot minute I'd perhaps be a doctor. So I'm predisposed to like this book - loved it actually. It's written more in the manner of historical textbook covering Maximinus' life, his time and events both, before during and after his short three year reign. If you like history, the military, Ancient Rome and the like, you'd likely enjoy this book!

[Joe Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to finish this because I was getting lost in what was not about Maximinus. The story seemed to drag on towards the end after noting his ultimate death with the principle discussion that centered on his likeness and possible statues and their authentication. By the authors comment noted by scholars and authors that Maximinus' rise through the ranks and ascension to emperor was the beginning of the 'fall of the Roman empire.' To go from nothing and rise to being ruler of the largest and most powerful nation on the planet is mind boggling. This was a good read and I enjoyed it.

[Hamka Suleiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Shows an era never really studied or written about. Before this all I knew about this a era were a series of emperors between Caligula and Aurelian.

[Dave Iskowich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-moving history of that weird time between the end of Septimius Severus and the beginning of the Crisis of the 3rd Century. Impressive sourcing and original scholarship.