He was born in Greece and joined the army in 85 AD at a young age and served in Legio VII Claudia in Moesia. In 87 and 88 AD he fought as part of his legion in the First Battle of Tapae and Second Battle of Tapae. Tiberius Claudius Maximus later served in Trajan's Roman-Parthian Wars; having voluntarily served longer than his contracted period of service, he was eventually discharged in the province of Mesopotamia.