 With his great energy , firm aggressive character and disinclination to rebel , Maximian was an appealing candidate for imperial office . The fourth @-@ century historian Aurelius Victor described Maximian as " a colleague trustworthy in friendship , if somewhat boorish , and of great military talents " . Despite his other qualities , Maximian was uneducated and preferred action to thought . The panegyric of 289 , after comparing his actions to Scipio Africanus ' victories over Hannibal during the Second Punic War , suggested that Maximian had never heard of them . His ambitions were purely military ; he left politics to Diocletian . The Christian rhetor Lactantius suggested that Maximian shared Diocletian 's basic attitudes but was less puritanical in his tastes , and took advantage of the sensual opportunities his position as emperor offered . Lactantius charged that Maximian defiled senators ' daughters and traveled with young virgins to satisfy his unending lust , though Lactantius ' credibility is undermined by his general hostility towards pagans . 
