Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 06.djvu/203

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MAXIMIANUS 161 MAXIMILIAIT translation, the Bolsheviki being Social Democrats, and having nothing in com- mon with the Social Revolutionists. MAXIMIANUS, GALERITJS VALE- RIUS, emperor of Constantinople, was originally a shepherd in Dacia, afterward a soldier, and was raised to the imperial dignity by Diocletian, who also gave him his daughter in marriage. In 305 he compelled Diocletian to abdicate the throne; but his cruelty soon rendered him odious to the Romans, who raised Maxentius to the throne. He died in 311. MAXIMIANUS (-a'nus), MARCUS A.URELIUS VALERIUS, surnamed Herculius, a Roman emperor; born near Sirmium, in A. D. 250. From be- ing a common soldier, he was associated in the government by Diocletian. When that emperor abdicated the crown, in 304, he compelled Maximianus, much against his will, to do the same; but about a year afterward the latter re- sumed the dignity, and opposed his son Maxentius. The troops, hojvever, muti- nied against Maximianus, who fled into Gaul, where he was put to death by or- der of Constantine, in 310, aged 60. MAXIMILIAN I., Emperor of Ger- many, son of Frederick III.; bom in Neustadt, March 22, 1459. At the age of 18 he married Mary, heiress of Charles MAXIMILIAN I. the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and was in- volved in a war with France. In 1486 Maximilian was elected King of the Ro- mans, and in 1493. he succeeded his father in the empire. He was the first who took the title of emperor without be^ ing crowned at Rome. By the marriage of his son Philip to Joanna, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, Spain was brought into the power of the House of Hapsburg. He invaded Burgundy, but was abandoned by the Swiss, who formed part of his army; he then made war on the Swiss, but was several times defeated, and had to make peace with them. In 1508 he set out for Rome, was refused a passage through the Venetian territories, and. attempting to force his way, was defeated. The same year he joined in the famous league of Cambray against the Venetians; from which he withdrew in 1513, and formed another league against France. In 1518 he as- sembled the Diet at Augsburg, at which Luther appeared on citation, and ap- pealed to the Pope. He died in Wels, Upper Austria, Jan. 12, 1519. MAXIMILIAN II., Emperor of Ger- many; bom in Vienna, July 31, 1527, was the son of the Emperor Ferdinand I. He was elected King of the Romans in 1562, and was soon after advanced to the thrones of Hungary and Bohemia; and on the death of his father, in 1564, was crowned emperor. The 12 years this monarch reigned were chiefly devoted to the internal welfare of the country and happiness of his people. He died Oct. 12, 1576. MAXIMILIAN (FERDINAND MAX- IMILIAN JOSEPH), Archduke of Aus- tria and Emperor of Mexico; bom in Vienna, Austria, July 6, 1832. He was the son of the Archduke Francis Charles, and the younger brother of Francis Jo- seph I. In 1862 the French were induced to interfere in the affairs of Mexico, and in 1863 called together an Assembly of Notables, which offered the crown of Mexico to Maximilian. After delibera- tion he solemnly accepted it; and in June, 1864, he entered Mexico. For a time all went well ; but he vainly tried to reconcile the Mexican parties. Juarez again raised the standard of independ- ence; and soon after (1866) Louis Na- poleon had to contemplate the withdrawal of his troops. The French were most anxious that Maximilian should leave with their troops; but he felt bound as a man of honor to remain and share the fate of his followers. At the head of 8,000 men he made a brave defense of Queretaro against a Liberal army under Escobedo. In May, 1867, he was be- trayed and tried by court-martial, and on July 19 he was shot. After the death of Maximilian his writings were published under the title of "From My Life; Sketches of Travel, Aphorisms, Marine Pictures" (7 vols. 1867). See M.EXICO.