E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Max’imus or Max’ime (2 syl.).
Officer of the prefect Alma’chius, and his cornicular. Being ordered to put Valir’ian and Tibur’c to death because they would not worship the image of Jupiter, he took pity on his victims and led them to his own house, where Cecilia was instrumental in his conversion; whereupon he and “all his” house were at once baptised. When Valir’ian and Tibur’c were put to death, Maximus declared that he saw angels come and carry them to heaven, whereupon Alma’chius caused him to be beaten with whips of lead “til he his lif gan lete.” (Chaucer: Secounde Nonnes Tale.)
to death because they would not worship the image of Jupiter, he took pity on his victims and led them to his own house, where Cecilia was instrumental in his conversion; whereupon he and “all his” house were at once baptised. When Valir’ian and Tibur’c
