Questioning the Historicity of the Second Usurpation of Maximus of Spain

This article argues that the second usurpation of Maximus of Spain is an illusion: I argue that only the Chronica Gallica 452, not Consentius' letter (Aug. Ep. 11*), could potentially function as evidence for this event. However, this chronicle mentions only one usurpation by Maximus, while being highly unreliable and riddled with chronological errors. Consequently, it is most likely that the chronicler has simply misdated the "first" usurpation. This is supported by a consideration of the historical context. This rejection of Maximus' "second" usurpation has significant consequences for our evaluation of Spanish history in the 410s and Honorius' later reign.