(A.D. 556.)
[Roman Martyrology; insertion by Baronius on Feb. 21st, by mistake,
apparently, for Maximian died on Feb. 22nd. Authority:-An ancient
life used by Rubæus in his Hist. Ravennæ.]
The story of the elevation of Maximian to the Archiepiscopal See of
Ravenna is by no means edifying. He was a deacon at Pola, and was one
day ploughing up his land when he lighted on an immense treasure,
which had probably been hidden at some time of invasion, and never
recovered. He was at a loss what to do with this wealth, but, after
some consideration, he killed his ox, disembowelled it, and filled the
belly with money, and also a pair of tall goatskin boots he possessed.
Then he presented all the rest to the Emperor Justinian, and it was
quite sufficient to highly gratify the monarch, who, however, claiming
all treasure-trove as belonging to the crown, asked Maximian whether
he would swear that this was all he had found. "It is all but what is
in my boots and belly,"[63] he answered; and Justinian, not seeing
through the equivocation, allowed him to depart, promising to reward
him for what had been given to the crown. Shortly after, in 546, the
see of Ravenna became vacant, and Justinian, remembering the deacon,
appointed him to the archiepiscopal throne, and he was ordained
thereto by Pope Vigilius, on Oct. 12th, 546. But the people of Ravenna
had already canonically elected a successor, and refused to
acknowledge the archbishop sent them by the emperor. They even refused
to admit him into the city, and he was obliged to lodge in the
suburbs. Those who took part with Maximian desired to carry a
complaint to the emperor against the citizens, but Maximian would not
permit it. He preferred waiting patiently, till the hostility of the
people and clergy should die away. His course was wise, and it
succeeded in the end, for the people of Ravenna, seeing it was
impossible to resist the will of a despot, yielded their right, and
admitted Maximian into possession of the see. He spent his ten years
of rule in building and adorning the churches, using for that purpose
the money "in the boots and belly," and exhibited such gentleness,
piety, and prudence, that he gained the love of his flock, and was
regarded by them as a saint.