Editing Maximian (section)

==Early campaigns in Gaul and Germany==
[[File:Over life-size marble head of a Tetrarch.png|alt=Over life-sized (46.8 cm tall) marble head of a Tetrarch. It may depict Maximian, but could instead depict Diocletian or any other Tetrarch.|thumb|Over life-sized marble head of a Tetrarch, possibly Maximian or Diocletian, found in Italy.<ref>[http://laststatues.classics.ox.ac.uk/database/discussion.php?id=1403 http://laststatues.classics.ox.ac.uk, LSA-1031 (J. Lenaghan)]</ref>]]
The [[Bagaudae]] of Gaul are obscure figures, appearing fleetingly in the ancient sources, with their 285 uprising being their first appearance.{{sfn|Rees|2002|p=29}} The fourth-century historian [[Eutropius (historian)|Eutropius]] described them as rural people under the leadership of [[Amandus (rebel)|Amandus]] and [[Aelianus (rebel)|Aelianus]], while Aurelius Victor called them bandits.<ref>Eutropius, ''Brev''. 9.20; Aurelius Victor, ''de Caesaribus'', 39.17, quoted in {{harvnb|Rees|2002|pp=29–30}}</ref> The historian David Potter suggests that they were more than peasants, seeking either Gallic political autonomy or reinstatement of the recently deposed Carus (a native of [[Gallia Narbonensis]], in what would become southern [[France]]): in this case, they would be defecting imperial troops, not brigands.{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=281–282}} Although poorly equipped, led and trained – and therefore a poor match for Roman legions – Diocletian certainly considered the Bagaudae sufficient threat to merit an emperor to counter them.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1p=6|2a1=Barnes|2y=1982|2p=10|3a1=Rees|3y=2002|3p=30|4a1=Southern|4y=2001|4p=137|5a1=Williams|5y=1997|5pp=45–46}} Maximian has been implicated in a massacre of [[Theban Legion|Coptic Christian troops]] from the headquarters unit of a legion raised in Thebes at Aucanus in modern Switzerland in early 285, during the preparations for the campaign against the Bagaudae.{{sfn|O'Reilly|2011|pp=117–122}}

Maximian traveled to Gaul, engaging the Bagaudae late in mid-285.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1982|1p=57|2a1=Bowman|2y=2005|2pp=70–71}} Details of the campaign are sparse and provide no tactical detail: the historical sources dwell only on Maximian's virtues and victories. The panegyric to Maximian in 289 records that the rebels were defeated with a blend of harshness and leniency.{{sfn|Southern|2001|p=137}} As the campaign was against the Empire's own citizens, and therefore distasteful, it went unrecorded in [[Victory title|titles]] and official [[Roman triumph|triumphs]]. Indeed, Maximian's panegyrist declares: "I pass quickly over this episode, for I see in your magnanimity you would rather forget this victory than celebrate it." By the end of the year, the revolt had significantly abated, and Maximian moved the bulk of his forces to the Rhine frontier, heralding a period of stability.<ref>''Panegyrici Latini'' 10(2), quoted in {{harvnb|Williams|1997|p=46}}; {{harvnb|Southern|2001|pp=139–138}}.</ref>

Maximian did not put down the Bagaudae swiftly enough to avoid a Germanic reaction. In late 285, two barbarian armies – one of [[Burgundians]] and Alamanni, the other of Chaibones and [[Heruli]] – forded the Rhine and entered Gaul.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1981|1p=6|2a1=Barnes|2y=1982|2p=57|3a1=Bowman|3y=2005|3p=71|4a1=Rees|4y=2002|4p=31}} The first army was left to die of disease and hunger, while Maximian intercepted and defeated the second.{{sfn|Barnes|1981|p=6}} He then established a Rhine headquarters in preparation for future campaigns,{{sfn|Williams|1997|p=46}} either at Moguntiacum ([[Mainz]], [[Germany]]),{{sfn|Williams|1997|p=46}} or at Augusta Treverorum ([[Trier]], Germany),.{{sfnm|1a1=Potter|1y=2004|1pp=282–283|2a1=Barnes|2y=1982|2p=56}}