Maximian

Maximian was a 4th-century Bishop of Carthage and founder of a splinter group that left Donatism.

Biography Maximian was a relative of Donatus of Casae Nigrae and was one of several people excommunicated in 391 by Primian, Bishop of Carthage. Primian was a great orator and thinker, but tactless and within a year had alienated large parts of the church. In 393 AD a council of more than 100 Donatist bishops elected Maximian to replace Primian as Bishop of Carthages. Primian held a rival council in Bagai in April 394AD and excommunicated Maximian. Primian, a former lawyer, also used the civil courts to reclaim church buildings.

The schism that enveloped around Maximian was the largest splintering within the Donatist movement. He took a less confrontational approach, and sought to reform the movement. However, it attracted limited adherents.