Magnus Maximus, Western Roman Emperor - Flavius, Marcus, and St. Elen

Started by Curt Quentin Harris on Friday, June 5, 2020
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Remember, it's entirely possible that her first husband died and she then married the other. Marriages were political so usually arranged and no one back then seems to have stayed alone long after losing a spouse. I've come across numerous people who had 3 or 4 spouses due to death in war, childbirth or by disease. Plus much of Europe was united under the Empire and long-distance travel wasn't uncommon, especially for nobles.

Please review the works of Darrell Wolcott that I have posted on these profiles. Maxen Wledig, as the Welsh called him, is the same as Magnus Maximus, and is often confused and conflated with Maxentius. A look at the dating will show you that Helen ferch Eudaf Hen, or St. Elen, could not possibly have married the later Magnus Maximus.

Came across a text referencing St. Augustine's letter 'Ad Orosium presbyterum contra Priscillianistas et Origenistas...', discussing heresies of Priscillianism and the text mentions this being named for a "Priscillian, the Bishop of Avila, from whom, though he was not its founder, the heresy takes its name, was charged with being a magician, and was executed at Treves in 385 A. D., by the order of Maximus the Usurper, at that time recognized as legitimate emperor in Gaul. St. Martin of Tours had tried to save Priscillian's life, but to no avail." - Jurgens, Wm. A, The Faith of the Early Fathers, v.3, p.144, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 1979.

This brought to mind the tale that Machsen Wledig and Elen 'Of the Hosts' had visited St. Martin at Tours.

Maxen Wledig, born c. 344, perhaps did visit St. Martin of Tours (but it's doubtful,) but he could have not made the visit with Elen ferch Eudaf Hen (who was NOT Elen "of the Host") because she was born c. 285, and married to Maxentius. History has conflated several people in these old tales.

Some of the confusion may come from all the discussion of these two on other profiles instead of simply making a firm statement that they are not the same, and linking to the other profile for those who are interested. For example, finding the profile of Magnus Maximus, Western Roman Emperor was non-trivial, and I have yet to find the profile for Helen 'of the Hosts,' though the profiles for others who are Not these people have a great deal of information about those people that they Are Not.
Maybe that can be remedied some time?

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