Cutting the ‹Herculian› Knot: When Did Maximian Become Caesar and Augustus?

Abstract

We know the dies imperii of all the emperors between 284 and 337, with the exception of Maximian. The incomplete and contradictory evidence has led scholars to a wide variety of conclusions regarding the chronology of the beginning of his reign, and whether he was caesar before he was augustus. Through a careful, step-by-step analysis of the evidence this paper argues that Maximian was proclaimed augustus in December 285, probably on 13 December, without having been proclaimed caesar first.