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According to Welsh legend, the Emperor Magnus Maximus, known as MacsenWledig (the Imperator), was a widowed senator living in Rome. Being aminor member of the Constantinian Imperial family, he felt it unjustthat the Empire was ruled by the Emperors, Gratian & Valentinian, butthere was little he could do about it. In about 365, Maximus was out hunting one day when he rested beneath atree and fell asleep. He had a long dream about a palace far away. Heentered the palace and encountered an ageing King and two young menplaying chess. Turning, his eyes met the most beautiful woman he couldever have imagined, sitting on a golden throne. On waking, Maximusimmediately sought out a local oracle who urged him to search out thisbeautiful maiden. So messengers were sent out across the Empire but,dispite exhaustive searches, all returned empty handed. There was nosign of Maximus' beauty. Meanwhile, at the edge of the Empire, High-King Eudaf Hen of Britainwas getting very old. He decided it was time to appoint his officialheir to the British Kingdom. His nephew, Conan Meriadoc, was perhapsthe most obvious choice, though the King's direct heir was his onlydaughter, Elen. Eudaf's chief advisor, Caradoc, the King of Dumnonia,advocated strengthening Roman links by marrying Elen to a man withImperial connections. The two could then inherit the Kingdom together.He knew of such a steady young man in Rome who would make an idealhusband. Eudaf was intrigued. So had Caradoc send his son, Mauric, toseek this Roman out. Mauric arrived in Rome at the house of Magnus Maximus, just as he hadreceived the unfortunate news that his dream girl could not be found.Glad of the distraction and persuaded by Mauric's suggestion that hemight find support in Britain for his Imperial claims, Maximus gladlyagreed to return with him. Comes Theodosius' historical expedition toBritain in order to quell barbarian risings actually brought MagnusMaximus to these shores in 368. Legend tells how the arrival on theisland of a large army of men caused quite a stir and, not realisingwho it was, Eudaf sent Conan with an army to disperse them.Fortunately, Mauric persuaded all of their good intentions and Maximuswas able to ride off to Eudaf's court at Carnarfon (Caer-yn-Arfonalias Caer-Segeint). Upon being introduced to everyone, Maximus was astounded to find thatEudaf was the old man in his dream and Conan, one of the chess-players(some say the other was his son, Cadfan). He was then overjoyed tofind that Eudaf's daughter, Elen, was his dream-girl. The two fell inlove immediately and were married with great pomp and ceremony. Eudaf died soon afterward, and Maximus and Elen inherited his Kingdom.Conan was extremely annoyed and rode north to gather an army of Picts& Scots to overthrow them. However, Maximus defeated him and, beingmagnanimous in victory, the two made peace. Conan became Maximus'dearest friend and also his magister militum. At this point, we return to more historic details. News reachedBritain that Maximus' relative, Theodosius had been elevated to theEastern Imperial throne. Incensed, Maximus invaded the Western Empire,in 383, along with his son Victorius and 'Prince' Conan. They withdrewtroops from Carnarfon (Caer-Segeint) & elsewhere in Britain and hismen quickly proclaimed Maximus as Emperor. His armies marched acrossthe continent, establishing his rule as they went. Conan eventuallykilled the Western Emperor, Gratian, in battle (being given Brittanyas a reward), and Maximus became sole ruler of the West. Maximus set up his capital at Trier and ruled well over Britain, Gaul& Spain for four years. He was baptised a Christian, and wasrecognised as Emperor by Theodosius who was occupied with his owntroubles elsewhere. Eventually however, Maximus was forced to make amove against Gratian's younger brother, Valentinian, the SouthernEmperor, who threatened his rule from Rome. He invaded Italy, tookMilan and for a whole year besieged Rome, before Conan arrived oncemore and finished the job. Unfortunately though, Valentinian escaped.He soon returned, backed up by the Roman Emperor of the East,Theodsoius. Maximus' forces were twice defeated at Illyricum, beforehe was finally killed, with his son, at Aquileia. Sources Geoffrey Ashe (1990) Mythology of the British Isles. Gildas Badonicus (c.540) The Ruin of Britain. Peter C. Bartrum (1993) A Welsh Classical Dictionary. A.H.M. Jones (1964) The Later Roman Empire 284-602: A Social,Economic, and Administrative Survey. Geoffrey of Monmouth (1136) The History of the Kings of Britain. Nennius (c.829) The History of the Britons. The Red Book of Hergest (14th c.) The Dream of Macsen Wledig . William Smith & Henry Wace (1877) The Dictionary of ChristianBiography. The White Book of Rhydderch (14th c.) The Dream of Macsen Wledig. Magnus Maximus' Ancestry Magnus Clemens Maximus was born in Galicia on the Iberian Peninsula inthe mid 4th century. Though from a Roman household, his origins areconfused. He was certainly a relative of the Comes Theodsius, whoseson was to become Emperor Theodosius the Great, but Welsh writers tellus more. The popular story says he was the son of a Romano-Briton, namedLolelinus (or Llywelyn), who had travelled to Rome and become asenator in the Imperial Senate. Coel Godhebog (the Magnificent) wasthus made Maximus' uncle, and the Emperor Constantius Chlorus, thehusband of his cousin, Helena. However, the chronology is all wrong. Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote that Maximus was of Imperial descent, andearly Welsh genealogical tracts seem to back up this idea, showingConstantius' son, Constantine the Great, as Maximus' grandfather.There is, however, little room for such a relationship in the Imperialfamily tree, as currently understood at this period. It might just bepossible that there was an extra, currently unknown, son ofConstantine who lived to become Maximus' father, though it seemsunlikely. His name may have been something like Maximianus Constans, acombination of those sited in Welsh sources. The former was certainlyGeoffrey's name for Maximus himself. Blackett & Wilson, however, claimhim as a lesser known son named Flavius Julius Crispus. The Harleian MS.3859 gives Maximus' ancestry under the pedigree of theKings of Dyfed, thus: Constantii Constantius, Roman Emperor Constantini Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor Constans Possible father of Maximus Pincr Misser Corrupt Stater Corrupt Eliud Duplicate generations Ebiud Protector Title used by the early Kings of Dyfed, duplicategenerations Protec Maxim Gulecic Macsen Wledig (the Imperator) alias Magnus Maximus The Jesus College MS.20 gives Maximus' ancestry under the pedigree ofthe Kings of Glywysing, thus: Custeint Constantius, Roman Emperor Constantinus Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor Maximianus Possible father of Maximus Maxen Macsen Wledig (the Imperator) alias Magnus Maximus Magnus Maximus married at least twice, though which came first isunknown. Likewise, the birth order of his children is unclear.Britannia suggests the following: Magnus Maximus alias Macsen Wledig (the Imperator), Emperor of the West, Abt 340 - 388 m. Ceindrech ferch Reiden Victor alias Gwidyr, Abt 354 - 388 Eugenius alias Owain Finddu (Black Lips), King of Mid-South Wales, Abt355 - m. St. Helena of the Host, alias Elen Lwyddog, daughter of Octaviusthe Old alias Eudaf Hen, Abt 340 - Antoninus Donatus alias Anwn Dynod, King of South-West Wales, Abt 357- Constantine alias Custennin Fawr (the Great), King of North-WestWales, Abt 360 - Publicus alias St. Peblig of Llanbeblig, Abt 363 - Gratianna, Abt 367 - , m. Tudwal ap Gwrfawr, King of Dumnonia, Abt 375- Severa, Abt 370 - , m. Vortigern Vorteneu (the Thin), King of Powys &All Britain, Abt 370 - Abt 459
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