Allectus was the treasurer of Carausius. When Carausius lost control of northern Gaul and its crucial port of Boulogne, Allectus assassinated him and took control, probably in autumn 293.
His reign has left little record, although his coin issues display a similar distribution to those of Carausius. They are found in north western Gaul, indicating that the recapture of Boulogne did not spell the end of the rebel empire on that side of the English Channel.
However, Allectus proved unable to prevent the invasion of Britain in September 296. Although at least part of the first invasion force under Constantius seems to have been turned back by storms, the second force under the praetorianprefectAsclepiodotus successfully landed near Southampton Water, where he burnt his boats and marched toward London. Allectus confronted him near Silchester, but lacking his predecessor's strategic skill was defeated and killed in battle.
Constantius himself arrived to protect London from Allectus' retreating Frankish troops and receive a triumphant victory.
Geoffrey of Monmouth included Allectus in his semi-mythical mediaeval history and wrote that as soon as Allectus assumed the kingship of Britain, he massacred hundreds of supporters of Carausius for breaking their allegiance to Rome.
Soon after Constantius I Chlorus was appointed Caesar by his father-in-law Maximianus Herculius in 293, he moved his army straight way into northern Gaul where he overcame the forces of his foe the Britis h usurper Carausius at the Battle of Boulogne.
In 296, Constantius and his praefectus praetorio Asclepiodotus each took a fleet and headed for Britain; although some of the Caesar's fleet seems to have turned back because of inclement weather, Asclepiodotus' forces succeeded in landing on the English coast with the intention of taking London.
Subsequently some of the Caesar's forces, which had become separated from his fleet, landed on the coast, marched on London, and slaughtered the remainder of the fleeing army of Allectus.
However, Allectus proved unable to prevent the invasion of Constantius I, who launched a two-pronged attack on Britain in September 296.
Allectus confronted him near Silchester, but lacking his predecessor's strategic skill was defeated and killed in battle.
Geoffrey of Monmouth included Allectus in his semi-mythical mediaeval history and wrote that as soon as Allectus assumed the kingship of Britain, he massacred hundreds of supporters of Carausius for breaking their allegiance to Rome.
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