Emperors of Rome

*

Solidus Petronius Maximus-RIC 2201 (obverse).jpg
Solidus of Emperor Petronius Maximus.
Name
Petronius Maximus
Dynasty
Anicii
Born
c. 396
Unknown
Died
31 May 455
Unknown
Reign
17 March 455 to 31 May 455
(2 months and 13 days)
Links

Petronius Maximus[1] (Latin: Flavius Anicius Petronius Maximus Augustus)[2] (c. 396 – 31 May 455[3][4]) was Western Roman Emperor for two and a half months in 455. A wealthy senator and a prominent aristocrat, he was instrumental in the murders of the Western Roman magister militum, Flavius Aëtius, and the Western Roman Emperor, Valentinian III.

Maximus secured the throne the day after Valentinian's death by ensuring the backing of the senate and by bribing the palace officials. He strengthened his position by forcing Valentinian's widow to marry him and forcing Valentinian's daughter to marry his son. He cancelled the betrothal of his new wife's daughter to the son of the Vandal king Genseric. This infuriated both his stepdaughter and Genseric, who sent a fleet to Rome. Maximus failed to obtain troops from the Visigoths and he fled as the Vandals arrived, became detached from his retinue and bodyguard in the confusion, and was killed. The Vandals thoroughly sacked Rome.