Maiorianus

By Giovanni Ricco

In a dark age, as the Western Roman Empire teetered on the brink of the abyss, a leader would emerge destined to challenge adversity with unwavering determination. This is the story of Flavius Majorian, the last great emperor of a dying empire, told through the eyes of a servant who bore direct witness to his audacity.

The figure of Majorian is often lost in the shadow of history, yet, in the darkest moments, he stood out as a bright light against rampant corruption, dwindling resources, and relentless barbarian threats. With sharp political wisdom and a sword forged in the fire of battles, Majorian managed to weave a tapestry of alliances with the barbarian kings, restoring lost territories and instilling a fragile yet tenacious hope in the hearts of the Romans.

Our tale unfolds through the eyes of a loyal servant, who, walking in the corridors of power and on blood-soaked battlefields, reveals the humanity, challenges, and victories of an emperor who refused to bow down to fate. Every page is a journey back in time, where honour, tradition, and bravery clash with the brutality of ambitions and the coldness of betrayal.

"Maiorianus" is not just a historical revelation but an emotional journey that rediscovers a forgotten hero and a lesson in resilience and dignity that resonates through the ages. With every word, the reader is pulled into a world of intrigue, hopes, and unparalleled sacrifices, reminding us that even in the darkest hours, the brilliance of Rome still shone in the heart of an indomitable man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Giovanni Ricco
• Release date: Oct 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215322208

Giovanni Ricco

Giovanni is an instructor at the Culham Historical Fencing and Mixed Martial Arts Club (CSSA) in the UK with a diverse martial arts background. He began his martial arts training in 1991 with Japanese Karate (kumite) and later moved on to Kickboxing for six years and then Muay Thai for four years, participating in amateur competitions. In 1999, he was introduced to Medieval and Renaissance fencing by his master of Italian historical fencing and started training in the manual of Fiore de Liberi and Marozzo. He also joined a group that trained in ancient Olympic boxing (Pygmachia), wrestling (Pale), the ancient mixed martial art of Pankration, and gladiatura in an experimental archaeology style (Arsdimicandi).In 2000, Giovanni received his first qualification as an Instructor of Medieval Fencing, followed by a second one in Renaissance Fencing (IRSAST). He taught his first class in southern Italy before receiving his qualification. He also received a qualification as an instructor of modern Pankration (Athlima) and taught his first class of bare-hand fighting in northern Italy (Venice). Along with his students in both northern and southern Italy, Giovanni participated in historical tournaments and battles. He later moved to South Milan and opened two classes in bare-hand fighting and fencing. In 2013, he received a qualification as a mixed martial arts instructor (FIGMMA).Giovanni further broadened his skills by joining a local club of defensive and dynamic shooting with firearms, participating in competitions. In 2018, he moved to China for work and continued to have students in all of his disciplines, including boxing. After moving to England, he joined a local historical fencing school in Wiltshire and then the Hema Fencing school in Oxford (OSS) and a Brazilian Ju Jitsu school to improve his wrestling skills. In 2022, Giovanni had his martial arts qualifications validated by the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association (BMABA).

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Maiorianus

Published by Giovanni Ricco

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© Copyright 2023 Giovanni Ricco

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Content

Introduction

The Courtier

The Chronicle

The Parents

Birth

Aetius

Rise

A Sudden Halt

Ricimer

The Comeback

The New Emperor

The Senate

Fight Against Corruption

Society

Protection of Monuments

The Army

Italy

Gaul

Hispania

Africa

Betrayal

Legacy

The Successor

Character of Majorian

Majorian Through the Author's Lens

What We Don't Know About Majorian

The Sources

The Other Emperors

Bibliography

Introduction

The Roman Empire, once a unified and powerful entity, underwent a formal division in 285 AD under Emperor Diocletian, who established the Tetrarchy to better manage the vast imperial territories. This split created two distinct entities: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire, each with its own line of emperors. Although this division was initially intended as an administrative measure, over time the two halves of the Empire became increasingly distinct and autonomously governed, with often divergent policies and interests.

The period leading up to Majorian's rise was a tumultuous phase in the history of the Western Roman Empire. The Empire had long been plagued by barbarian invasions, internal conflicts, and a growing apathy and incompetence among the ranks of the aristocracy and leadership. The light of ancient Rome seemed to fade with each passing day, leaving the Roman populace in a state of uncertainty and despair.

A further thorn in the Empire's side was the loss of control over key provinces, particularly North Africa, a region that had once been Rome's breadbasket. The loss of North Africa had drastically reduced the Empire's finances, as food that had once been produced and sold within the provinces now had to be imported at high costs. This loss of income, in turn, rendered the Empire unable to finance a robust and reliable army. The inability to maintain a professional army further eroded the Empire's capacity to defend its territories and maintain order.

Furthermore, a decline in birth rates had reduced the number of Roman citizens available for military service, while barbarian populations within and around the Empire's borders continued to grow. It was a spiral of decline that seemed almost impossible to halt. The apathy and lack of vision among the Empire's leaders only exacerbated these structural problems.

The emperors preceding Majorian were unable to stem the Empire's bleeding. Valentinian III, who reigned from 425 to 455, witnessed the assassination of the great general Flavius Aetius in 454, an event marking a negative turning point for the Empire. His death removed one of the last bastions of military competence and authority. The following year, Valentinian III himself was assassinated, leaving a power vacuum that further destabilised the Empire.

Petronius Maximus, who ascended to the throne in 455, lasted only a short period before being killed during an uprising. His reign was followed by the rise of Avitus, who faced growing hostility from both the Roman aristocracy and the barbarian generals who now wielded significant influence within the Empire. Avitus was deposed in 456, and the Empire continued its plunge into chaos.

While the Western Roman Empire floundered in this spiral of decline, the Eastern Roman Empire displayed relative stability, though the eastern emperors were often reluctant or unable to effectively intervene to support their western counterparts. Their wavering attention contributed to the feeling of abandonment that pervaded the aristocracy and people of the West.

The barbarians, once allies or mercenaries under Roman command, now roamed freely across vast portions of