Magnus Maximus is captured and executed after Aquileia in 388
Dated 28 August 388: Magnus Maximus is captured and executed after Aquileia in 388. In the causal graph this event strengthens Judicial independence erosion (court capture), a driver that strengthens Rule of Law Gap from the Highest Governance Score — a worsening welfare path.
Read the full account
Context
Clemency stories after Frigidus are later and different. Shared officers remain.
Theodosius I’s documented role is bounded by other offices and collaborators named in the sources below.
Received date cluster is late August 388. Extra-judicial or summary killing of a defeated Augustus is the heading. Not a modern treason trial transcript. Valentinian’s restoration is a different instrument.
Who was responsible
Contribution type and responsibility level for each recorded actor — not sole-author shorthand.
Theodosius I
PersonDirect responsibility
responsibility level 0.4 · verified
What changed
Fact → Driver → Indicator. Relationship strength orders the paths; it is not the observed indicator movement.
- FactMagnus Maximus is captured and executed after Aquileia in 388
- strengthensDriverJudicial independence erosion (court capture)
- strengthensIndicators (4)Rule of Law Gap from the Highest Governance Score
impact weight 0.5 · Effect from 28 August 388 · verified
- Worse
Strengthens · Relationship strength 0.36 (weight 0.5 × strength 0.72)
Observed
43.9 Score · 43.9 above the normal line (2024)
Worse than normal26 readings, 1996–2024: rose from 43 Score to 43.9 Score.
Normal is zero · any amount = worse
Weakens · Relationship strength 0.35 (weight 0.5 × strength 0.7)
Observed
0.55 index score (0-1) · 0.26 below the normal line (2024)
Worse than normalAbove normal = better
Weakens · Relationship strength 0.34 (weight 0.5 × strength 0.69)
Observed
0.62 score from 0 to 1 · 0.25 below the normal line (2024)
Worse than normal125 readings, 1900–2024: rose from 0.37 score from 0 to 1 to 0.62 score from 0 to 1.
Above normal = better
All indicators on this path (4)
Weakens · Relationship strength 0.15 (weight 0.5 × strength 0.3)
Observed
42.5 index score (0-100) · 7.53 below the normal line (2025)
Worse than normalAbove normal = better
Evidence
The sources behind this fact and its verification state.
- 1.De Imperatoribus Romanis — Theodosius ILoyola University Chicago · High credibility · verified
- 2.Britannica — Theodosius IEncyclopaedia Britannica · High credibility · verified
What the sources establish
DIR and Britannica independently record Maximus’s death after defeat.
Theodosius I did not file a later UNESCO form, a later Loeb colophon, or a later museum label as a personal act.
Causal path
How this event connects to drivers and indicators in the graph.
- ActorTheodosius I
- contributed toFactMagnus Maximus is captured and executed after Aquileia in 388
- strengthensDriverJudicial independence erosion (court capture)
- strengthensIndicatorRule of Law Gap from the Highest Governance Score
Cite this page
Factrail. (2026). Magnus Maximus is captured and executed after Aquileia in 388. Factrail. https://factrail.ai/facts/theo-maximus-executed-388
https://factrail.ai/facts/theo-maximus-executed-388
Accessed 16 October 2026.
By the Factrail desk · Method: how we source and score · Last reviewed
Dispute this factNamed here, or represent someone who is? Request a right of reply.