 Spurred by the crisis with Carausius , on April 1 , 286 , Maximian took the title of Augustus . This gave him the same status as Carausius – so the clash was between two Augusti , rather than between an Augustus and a Caesar – and , in Imperial propaganda , Maximian was proclaimed Diocletian 's brother , his equal in authority and prestige . Diocletian could not have been present at Maximian 's appointment , causing Seeck to suggest that Maximian usurped the title and was only later recognized by Diocletian in hopes of avoiding civil war . This suggestion has not won much support , and the historian William Leadbetter has recently refuted it . Despite the physical distance between the emperors , Diocletian trusted Maximian enough to invest him with imperial powers , and Maximian still respected Diocletian enough to act in accordance with his will . 
