 Maximian ( Latin : Marcus Aurelius Valerius <unk> Herculius Augustus ; c . 250 – c . July 310 ) was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305 . He was Caesar from 285 to 286 , then Augustus from 286 to 305 . He shared the latter title with his co @-@ emperor and superior , Diocletian , whose political brain complemented Maximian 's military brawn . Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent most of his time on campaign . In the late summer of 285 , he suppressed rebels in Gaul known as the Bagaudae . From 285 to 288 , he fought against Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier . Together with Diocletian , he launched a scorched earth campaign deep into <unk> territory in 288 , temporarily relieving the Rhine provinces from the threat of Germanic invasion . 
