A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a distinguished Roman general in the reigns of Domitian and Trajan. In A. D. 91 Maximus quelled the revolt of Antonius in Germany, and at the same time had the magnanimity to burn all the letters of the latter, that they might not expose others to the vengeance of Domitian. In A. D. 101 he fought with success under Trajan in the Dacian war against Decebalus. In A. D. 115 he was one of Trajan's generals in the Parthian war; but here his good fortune failed him, for he was defeated and perished in this year. We learn from the Fasti that he was consul in A. D. 103. (Dio Cass. Ixvii. 11, Ixviii. 9, 30 ) There is some doubt about the exact form of his name. Dio Cassius names him simply L. Maximus; but Domitian, in a letter contained among those of Pliny (10.66), and the Fasti call him L. Appius Maximus, which is the form we have adopted. But Martial (9.85), and Aurelius Victor (Epit. 11.10), give to the conqueror of Antonius the name of Appius Norbanus. These statements can only be reconciled by supposing that his full name was L. Appius Maximus Norbanus.