Fascinating study of a unique little-known character from Roman history -- the 3rd century emperor, the 8 foot tall Maximinus Thrax [The Thracian]. Based on not-always-completely-accurate primary material of the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as on archaeological finds, the author has pieced together what he feels is the most accurate, and taken educated guesses as to anything else. The man came from Thracian peasant stock; parents were most probably barbarians. He entered the army as a common soldier and his military ability, great size, and strength earned him quick promotions. He finally was acclaimed emperor, unwillingly, I might add, upon the assassination of the then current emperor, Alexander Severus, a young man firmly under his evil mother's thumb. But Maximinus did don the purple; his focus was always the army with an eye to subduing Germans and Dacians [modern Romania]. He left no architectural monuments. The book concentrated then on his reign, defects, strengths, assassination at the hands of the army after Aquileia. The book stressed his cruelty, neglect of the city of Rome and the reason for his unusual physique--most probably acromegaly [gigantism], a pituitary disorder. Although cruel, he was not dissolute or debauched like Nero, Caligula or Elagabalus. He genuinely loved his wife and deified her upon her death. After death, he and his family were subjected to damnatio memoriae, in that the names were scratched out from inscriptions and statues destroyed.

This book read quickly and was a good general survey of Maximinus's life, accomplishments, "what might have been" had he lived longer, and the rest of the third century. I feel it was a good study intended for the general reader, interestingly written. As a side note: Harry Sidebottom's Throne of the Caesars series is a good fictional representation of this period.

Highly recommended. ( )