Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus, commonly known as Maximian Herculius, because he was protected by Hercules, was originally from present-day Serbia. He was born in 250 AD and died by suicide in Marseilles in 310 AD, at the instigation of Constantine, during the period of the wars for supremacy over the Tetrarchy.
Maximian was a talented military officer, called by Diocletian to rule with him over the fate of the Empire, during the diarchy in 286 AD with the title of Augustus, with reference to the Western Roman Empire. This was when he established his seat in Milan.
He was in charge of controlling the Roman provinces of Gaul, Britannia and Germania, with military actions to suppress the various revolts that broke out in these territories. He took part in the government of the Empire during the Tetrarchy, supporting Diocletian and choosing Constantius Chlorus as Caesar, to whom he entrusted the management of many military undertakings. He lived between Milan and Aquileia, taking up residence in the luxurious villas of southern Italy after the end of his term as tetrarch with Diocletian, who instead retired to his palace in his native Dalmatia. He continued to participate in the political life of Rome until Constantine was appointed Augustus in 306. He entered into conflict with him in 310 AD with the intention of usurping him. Captured by soldiers loyal to Constantine, he died by suicide in Marseilles in the same year, in an intriguing affair of revenge. Having re-established the truth of the events, his honour was restored by Constantine in 318 AD and he was declared Divus.
