Whilst Emperor Aurelian only ruled for five years as leader of the Roman world, his importance to its history is immense. Born in relative obscurity, somewhere in the Balkans (possibly near modern Sofia) in September 215, to a peasant family, Aurelian was in some ways a typical “soldier emperor” of the third century. However, unlike …
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 …
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus (reign AD 260 – AD 269) Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus probably was a Gaul (from the tribe of the Batavians), though his age and birthplace are unknown. When emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians, leaving his son Gallienus to struggle on alone, his time had come. As governor Ingenuus and …
Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus(AD ca. 213 – AD 268) Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus was born in about AD 213.This means that he was about 40 years old when his father Valerian, in AD 253, was hailed emperor by his troops in Raetia. Gallienus was made Caesar immediately by his father. But within a month, when …
Publius Licinius Valerianus(AD ca. 195 – AD 260) Valerian, a descendant of a distinguished family from Etruria, was born in about AD 195. He served as consul in the 230’s under Alexander Severus and was one of the leading supporter of the Gordian rebellion against Maximinus Thrax in AD 238. Under later emperors he was …