Alternative History
Maximillian Achilles
Henry Ireton
Portrait of Maximillian, 1598
Elector of Saxony
Reign 1618-
Coronation 23 June 1623 in Wittenberg
Predecessor Engelbert III
Regent Sibella
Duke of Jägerndorf
Reign 1590-
Coronation 1 May 1590
Predecessor Nikolaus V
Count of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
Reign 1585-
Predecessor Frederick II
Born 11 May 1565
Sigmaringen,
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen,
Holy Roman Empire
Died 31 August 1642
Wittenberg, Duchy of Saxony,
Holy Roman Empire
Spouse Sibella de la Marck
House House of Hohenzollern
Father Frederick II
Religion Jungism

Maximilian I (11 May 1565 - 31 August 1642) was a German nobleman and military commander, known by the cognomen Achilles for his knightly qualities and virtues. He was a member of the House of Hohenzollern, ruling as a Count of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen from 1585, and later also bought possession of Jägerndorf in Silesia. He married Sibella de la Marck, eldest daughter and heiress of Engelbert III, allowing him to become Elector of Saxony and Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg from 1621 until his death, establishing a new dynasty that replaced the House of la Marck.

Maximilian Achilles gained the attention of the nobles of the Holy Roman Empire for his magnanimity and skill as a military commander, becoming a prominent Jungist leader in the Forty Years' War. Despite being from a minor branch of the Hohenzollern family, he successfully competed for Sibella's hand in marriage, much to the chagrin of more prestigious suitors. Maximilian would ultimately be contested by several other claimants, including distant relatives of the House of La Marck. However, Engelbert III's death in 1618 came at the peak of the conflict, granting Maximilian the crisis needed to unite the country under his leadership.

As Elector Maximilian proved to be a remarkable ruler, helping to reverse Saxony's dire situation in the conflict. He defeated other claimants to the throne and also defended Wittenberg from a Catholic siege, earning him the respect of the nobility and people alike. Maximilian would be at the head of the army when the war concluded in 1636, and he returned to much fanfare. He spent the remainder of his reign rebuilding the war-torn country.

This article is part of Merveilles des Morte.