Neoplatonist philosopher and theurgic magician whose most spectacular achievement was the animation of a statue of Hecate. Through his magic he gained a powerful influence over the mind of the future Roman emperor Julian, and Maximus was invited to join the court in Constantinople when Julian succeeded to the throne in 361. He was imprisoned by the emperor Valens after Julian's death, was released, and was finally executed for complicity in an assassination plot against Valens.