Marcus Aurelius Equitius Probus(AD 232 – AD 282) Marcus Aurelius Equitius Probus was born at Sirmium on 19 August AD 232. His family origins are unclear. According to various accounts his father was either a market-gardener, a minor state official, or a soldier. Probus’ early military career is largely unknown. He most likely rose through …
Marcus Annius Florianus(d. AD 276) After the death of Tacitus in July AD 276 power seamlessly passed into the hands of his half-brother Florian, the commander of the praetorian guard.In fact, on hearing of Tacitus’ death, he proclaimed himself emperor, not waiting to be granted the title either by the troops or the senate. Widely …
Marcus Claudius Tacitus(AD ca. 200 – AD 276) The origins of Marcus Claudius Tacitus are disputed. In fact not much is known about him at all. The ancient literary sources, making him a fabulously rich Italian, appear to be fiction rather than fact. One assumes he was born somewhere in the Danube region. The year …
Lucius Domitius Aurelianus(AD 214 – AD 275) Lucius Domitius Aurelianus was born of poor parents on 9 September AD 214 in Lower Moesia.His father was a tenant farmer of a wealthy senator Aurelius, after whom the family were named. Aurelian rose through the ranks of the army, serving with distinction on the Danube frontier.By AD …
Marcus Aurelius Quintillus(d. AD 270) Marcus Aurelius Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II Gothicus.He had been left in command of troops in northern Italy, while Claudius II was on campaign against the Goths in the Balkans, to prevent any invasion across the Alps by the Alemanni. And so at the emperor’s death he …
Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius(AD 214 – AD 270) Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius was born on 10 May AD 214 in the region of Dardania which was either a part of the province of Illyricum or Upper Moesia. He served as military tribune under Decius and Valerian, and it was Valerian who promoted him to high …