Dr. Miles Russell

But when we look at Geoffrey Monmouth, when we look at the fact that he leaves Britain, he invades Gaul, modern day France, he defeats armies, he kills the emperor, and he's just about to go over the Alps to invade Italy when he's suddenly turned away. All this is Magnus Maximus' story that's been repackaged for Arthur.

So 39% of the King Arthur story comes from Magnus Maximus in Geoffrey of Monmouth. So he is the most significant person to contribute to the Arthur tale.

So 39% of the King Arthur story comes from Magnus Maximus in Geoffrey of Monmouth. So he is the most significant person to contribute to the Arthur tale.

So 39% of the King Arthur story comes from Magnus Maximus in Geoffrey of Monmouth. So he is the most significant person to contribute to the Arthur tale.

It is. I guess to our perspective it is. But given that he's portrayed as a strong leader, someone who is successful in battle, someone who galvanises the Britons and the Gauls and the Germans against Rome, this becomes a significant factor in this story. And of course, bear in mind, he doesn't come back to Britain. One of the later aspects developed with Arthur is he's gone.

It is. I guess to our perspective it is. But given that he's portrayed as a strong leader, someone who is successful in battle, someone who galvanises the Britons and the Gauls and the Germans against Rome, this becomes a significant factor in this story. And of course, bear in mind, he doesn't come back to Britain. One of the later aspects developed with Arthur is he's gone.

It is. I guess to our perspective it is. But given that he's portrayed as a strong leader, someone who is successful in battle, someone who galvanises the Britons and the Gauls and the Germans against Rome, this becomes a significant factor in this story. And of course, bear in mind, he doesn't come back to Britain. One of the later aspects developed with Arthur is he's gone.

He's not killed, but he might come back one day. And I guess that is something about Magnus Maximus is that he's gone abroad. Stories of his death might be treated as a bit of an over-exaggeration. But there's that sense that one day he will return and save us all. So you can see how that's in.

He's not killed, but he might come back one day. And I guess that is something about Magnus Maximus is that he's gone abroad. Stories of his death might be treated as a bit of an over-exaggeration. But there's that sense that one day he will return and save us all. So you can see how that's in.

He's not killed, but he might come back one day. And I guess that is something about Magnus Maximus is that he's gone abroad. Stories of his death might be treated as a bit of an over-exaggeration. But there's that sense that one day he will return and save us all. So you can see how that's in.

But yeah, from our perspective, you know, for most people's perspective, I guess Magnus Maximus, whose name translates as the great, the greatest. So he's quite a show off. He's not modest. Yeah, he's not modest in that sense. But he doesn't feature much in our history. He's just another name in that list of rebels.

But yeah, from our perspective, you know, for most people's perspective, I guess Magnus Maximus, whose name translates as the great, the greatest. So he's quite a show off. He's not modest. Yeah, he's not modest in that sense. But he doesn't feature much in our history. He's just another name in that list of rebels.

But yeah, from our perspective, you know, for most people's perspective, I guess Magnus Maximus, whose name translates as the great, the greatest. So he's quite a show off. He's not modest. Yeah, he's not modest in that sense. But he doesn't feature much in our history. He's just another name in that list of rebels.

But for the beginnings of the great Welsh dynasties and the princes of Wales, he's a key character from their past. and therefore he gets built into the story of Arthur.

But for the beginnings of the great Welsh dynasties and the princes of Wales, he's a key character from their past. and therefore he gets built into the story of Arthur.

But for the beginnings of the great Welsh dynasties and the princes of Wales, he's a key character from their past. and therefore he gets built into the story of Arthur.

Yeah, I mean, again, Constantine is another character who ultimately hasn't really got anything to do with Britain. You know, he's from the Eastern Mediterranean, from the Balkans. But he is serving in Britain with his father in 306 AD. And his father is Constantius. His father is the emperor.

Yeah, I mean, again, Constantine is another character who ultimately hasn't really got anything to do with Britain. You know, he's from the Eastern Mediterranean, from the Balkans. But he is serving in Britain with his father in 306 AD. And his father is Constantius. His father is the emperor.

Yeah, I mean, again, Constantine is another character who ultimately hasn't really got anything to do with Britain. You know, he's from the Eastern Mediterranean, from the Balkans. But he is serving in Britain with his father in 306 AD. And his father is Constantius. His father is the emperor.

And at that stage, there is a system called the Tetrarchy, which is by whoever's emperor chooses their successor. And it's not somebody of their bloodline. They choose the most capable leader to succeed them. And it's a way of trying to get rid of all these fighting dynasties. Now, in 306, Constantius dies in Britain at York. He's on campaign in Britain.