Magnus Maximus was born in 335 and while serving his army in Britain he was proclaimed emperor by his troops in 383.

After wreaking havoc on Gaul, he set out to conquer his main threat Gratian who fled after being defeated near Paris but was soon caught and killed.

Valentinian II was forced out of Rome by Maximus and he raced to Theodosius I for assistance. The two of them banded together to form an attack against Maximus and were victorious in the Battle of Save, Maximus then retreated to Aquileia where he surrendered and was killed.