The following is an attempted list of usurpers in the Roman Empire. For an overview of the problem and consequences of usurpation see Roman usurpers. Octavian, widely known as Augustus, founder of the Roman empire The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by an autocratic form of government. ... Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the so-called crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule. ...

Key:

• kPG, killed by the Praetorian guard
• kS, killed by own soldiers
• kB, killed in battle
• e, executed
• S, suicide
• dates are beginning and end of reign
• origin of the rebellion indicated where possible
• the list is complete until the advent of the tetrarchy in the end of the 3rd century

The Praetorian Guard of Caesar Augustus - 1st century. ... The Tetrarchs, a porphyry sculpture sacked from a Byzantine palace in 1204, Treasury of St. ... // Overview Events 212: Constitutio Antoniniana grants citizenship to all free Roman men 212-216: Baths of Caracalla 230-232: Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east 235-284: Crisis of the Third Century shakes Roman Empire 250-538: Kofun era, the first...

Emperor usurpers

This is a listing of Roman emperors that so became due to their own initiative with neither family ties to the previous nor senatorial appointement. This is a list of Roman Emperors with the dates they controlled the Roman Empire. ... The Roman Senate (Latin, Senatus) was a deliberative body which was important in the government of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. ...

First Roman Imperial civil war: the year of the four emperors (69 AD)

• Otho – committed suicide
• Vitellius – killed
• Vespasian – secured the throne

The forced suicide of emperor Nero, in 68 AD, was followed by a brief period of civil war (the first Roman civil war since Antonys death in 31 BC) known as the Year of the four emperors. ... Events The Year of the four emperors: After Neros death, Galba, Otho and Vitellius are all Roman emperor a short time before eventually Vespasian takes over. ... Emperor Otho. ... Vitellius, Museo Nazionale della Civiltà Romana, Rome Aulus Vitellius Germanicus (September 24, 15–December 22, 69) was Roman Emperor from April 17 69 to December 22 of the same year, one of the emperors in the Year of the four emperors. He was the son of Lucius Vitellius, who had... Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (November 17, 69 – June 23, 79), known originally as Titus Flavius Vespasianus and usually referred to in English as Vespasian, was emperor of Rome from 69 to 79. ...

From 193 to the tetrarchy (crisis of the third century)

• Septimius Severus (193-211) in the Rhine, secured the throne, founder of the Severan dynasty
• Macrinus (217-e.218) in Syria, former prefect of the Praetorian guard
• Maximinus Thrax (235-kS.238) in the Rhine, former centurion
• Gordian I and Gordian II (238) in Africa, suicide and death in battle
• Philip the Arab (244-kS.249) in the East, former prefect of the Praetorian guard
• Decius (249-kB.251) in Pannonia
• Aemilianus (kS.251) in Moesia
• Valerian (253-e.260) in the Rhine, executed by the Persians
• Aurelian (270-kPG275)
• …

Events June 1 – Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is assassinated in his palace. ... The Tetrarchs, a porphyry sculpture sacked from a Byzantine palace in 1204, Treasury of St. ... Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Military Anarchy or the Imperial Crisis ) is a commonly applied name for the crumbling and near collapse of the Roman Empire between 235 and 284 caused by the three simultaneous crises of external invasion, internal civil war and economic collapse. ... Lucius Septimius Severus, (April 11, 146-February 4, 211) was Roman emperor from April 9, 193 to 211. ... This article is about the year 211. ... Macrinus on an aureus. ... Events Macrinus becomes Roman Emperor on the death of Caracalla. ... Events May 16 - Heliogabalus is acclaimed as Roman Emperor. ... Emperor Maximinus Thrax Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus (c. ... Events Maximinus Thrax becomes Roman Emperor. ... Events Carpians invade Moesia, Maximinus Thrax campaigns against them. ... Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus (around 159 - April 12, 238), known in English as Gordian I, was Roman Emperor during the year of 238. ... Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus (around 192 - April 12, 238), known in English as Gordian II, was Roman emperor during the year of 238. ... Events Carpians invade Moesia, Maximinus Thrax campaigns against them. ... This coin struck under Philip to celebrate Saeculum Novum bears, on the reverse, a temple devoted to Roma goddess. ... Events Roman Emperor Gordian III dies under unclear circumstances while in war against Shapur I of Persia. ... Events Trajan Decius becomes Roman emperor. ... Bust of Traianus Decius. ... Events Trajan Decius becomes Roman emperor. ... Events July 1 – In the Battle of Abrittus, the Goths defeat the Romans; emperors Decius and Herennius Etruscus are killed. ... Aemilianus celebrating peace-maker Mars god of war. ... Events July 1 – In the Battle of Abrittus, the Goths defeat the Romans; emperors Decius and Herennius Etruscus are killed. ... Publius Licinius Valerianus (Latin: IMPERATOR CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS VALERIANVS · PIVS FELIX · INVICTVS AVGVSTVS)¹ (ca. ... For the book see 253 (book). ... Events Valerian I captured by the Persian king Shapur I; Gallienus becomes sole Roman emperor. ... Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (September 9, 214–275), known in English as Aurelian, Roman Emperor (270–275), was the second of several highly successful soldier-emperors who helped the Roman Empire regain its power during the latter part of the third century and the beginning of the fourth. ... Events Quintillus briefly holds power over the Roman Empire, and is succeeded by Aurelian Vandals and Sarmatians driven out of Roman territory Romans leave Utrecht after regular invasions of Germanic people. ... Events Eutychian elected pope (probable date) September 25 - Marcus Claudius Tacitus appointed emperor by the senate Births Eusebius of Caesarea (approximate date) Saint George, soldier of the Roman Empire and later Christian martyr (or 280, approximate date). ...

Unsuccessful usurpers in the 3rd century

List of to be emperors eventually defeated by the ruling sovereign, listed by reign. The noted date is the attempted usurpation.

Elagabalus: 218-222

• Gellius Maximus (219), in Syria, executed, originally an officer of Legio IV Scythica
• Verus (late 219), in Syria, executed, commander of Legio III Gallica
• Uranius (ca. 221), questioned existence and date; sources place him in 253
• Seleucus (after 221). He could be Julius Antonius Seleucus, in Moesia, or M. Flavius Vitellius Seleucus, consul for 221

A bust depicting Elagabalus. ... Gellius Maximus (d. ... Events Legio III Gallica and IV Scythica are disbanded by Roman Emperor Elagabalus after their leaders, Verus and Gellius Maximus, rebel. ... Legio IV Scythica was a Roman legion levied by Marcus Antonius around 42 BC, for his campaign against the Parthian empire, hence the cognomen Parthica. ... Verus is a disambiguation page listing more than one person of that name. ... Legio III Gallica was a Roman legion levied by Julius Caesar around 49 BC, for his civil war against the conservative republicans led by Pompey. ... Literary sources place the usurpation of Uranius during the reigns of Heliogabalus or Alexander Severus. ... Events June 26 - Roman Emperor Elagabalus adopts Alexander Severus as his heir. ... Seleucus (221?) was a Roman usurper. ... Events June 26 - Roman Emperor Elagabalus adopts Alexander Severus as his heir. ... Events June 26 - Roman Emperor Elagabalus adopts Alexander Severus as his heir. ...

Alexander Severus: 222-235

• Sallustius (ca. 227), in Rome, raised to Caesar by Alexander, executed for attempted murder, prefect of the Praetorian guard
• Taurinus (S. date unclear), in the East, committed suicide in the Euphrates after being hailed Augustus

Alexander Severus Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexandrus (October 1, 208- March 18?, 235), commonly called Alexander Severus, Roman emperor from 222 to 235, was born at Arca Caesarea in Palestine. ... Lucius Seius Sallustius (d. ... Events Ireland - Rule of High King Cormac mac Airt begins (approximate) Cao Rui becomes emperor of the American television situation comedy that was originally broadcast from 1985 until 1990. ... Caesar (p. ... Taurinus (d. ... The Euphrates (the traditional Greek name, Arabic: الفرات; Al-Furat, Hebrew: פְּרָת Perath, Kurdish: Firat, Turkish: Fırat, Old Persian: Ufrat, Syriac: ܦܪܘܬ or ܦܪܬ; Frot or Prâth, Akkadian: Pu-rat-tu) is the westernmost of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia (the other being the Tigris). ...

Maximinus Thrax: 235-238

• Magnus (235), ordered some soldiers of Maximinus to destroy the bridge that allowed the Emperor to cross back the Rhine, a former consul
• Quartinus (235), in the East, supported by soldiers loyal to former emperor Alexander Severus

Emperor Maximinus Thrax Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus (c. ... Magnus (d. ... Events Maximinus Thrax becomes Roman Emperor. ... Quartinus (d. ... Events Maximinus Thrax becomes Roman Emperor. ...

Gordian III: 238-244

• Sabinianus (240), in Africa, governor of the province

Gordian III Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius (January 20, 225-244), known in English as Gordian III, was Roman emperor from 238 to 244. ... Alternate use: Pope Sabinianus Sabinianus was the leader of a revolt against Gordian III in Africa. ... For alternate uses, see Number 240. ...

Philip the Arab: 244-249

• Iotapianus (kS.248), in the East
• Pacatianus (kS.248), in the Danube frontier, killed by soldiers
• Silbannacus in the Rhine, questioned existence
• Sponsianus in Moesia, questioned existence

This coin struck under Philip to celebrate Saeculum Novum bears, on the reverse, a temple devoted to Roma goddess. ... Iotapianus coin. ... The obverse of this antoninianus celebrates Pacatianus as unconquered, while the reverse celebrates the 1001st birthday of Rome. ... Events Cyprian becomes bishop of Carthage. ... Mar. ... Sponsianus is believed to have been an usurper in the Roman Empire during the time of Philip the Arab. ...

Decius: 249-251

• Priscus (249-k?252) in the East, Philip's brother
• Licinianus (250) in Rome, executed

Bust of Traianus Decius. ... Gaius Julius Priscus (3rd century) was a Roman military man and member of the Praetorian guard in the reign of Gordian III. Priscus was born in the Syrian Roman province, possibly in Damascus, son of a Julius Marinus a local Roman citizen, possibly of some importance. ... Events Trajan Decius becomes Roman emperor. ... Events Sun Liang succeeds Sun Quan as king of the Chinese Kingdom of Wu. ... This coin struck under Philip to celebrate Saeculum Novum bears, on the reverse, a temple devoted to Roma goddess. ... Iulius Valens Licinianus was a Roman usurper in 250. ... Events Diophantus writes Arithmetica the first systematic treatise on algebra. ...

Gallienus: 253-268

See also Gallienus usurpers Head of Gallienus, in the Musée du Cinquantenaire, Brussels Gallienus depicted on a lead seal Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus (218-268) ruled the Roman Empire as co-emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and then as the sole Roman Emperor from 260 to 268. ... ΧÉThe Gallienus usurpers were the usurpers who claimed imperial power during the reign of Gallienus (253–268). ...

• Ingenuus (260) in Pannonia, committed suicide, former governor
• Macrianus Major, Macrianus Minor and Quietus (September 260 – Autumn 261) in the East, all killed by their own soldiers in different occasions
• Regalianus (260) in Pannonia, ruled with his wife
• Balista (also: Ballista) (Autumn e.261) in the East, former Praetorian prefect, associated with the former
• Piso (kS.261) in Achaea, questioned existence
• Valens (k.261) in Achaea, killed by Macrinus, former governor
• Memor (e.261) in Egypt
• Mussius Aemilianus (261 - Spring e.262) in Egypt
• The emperors of the Gallic Empire
• The fictitious usurpers:
  • Celsus
  • Saturninus
  • Trebellianus

Ingenuus held a senior military command in Pannonia when he proclaimed himself Roman Emperor ca. ... Events Valerian I captured by the Persian king Shapur I; Gallienus becomes sole Roman emperor. ... Fulvius Macrianus (died 261), also known as Macrianus Major to distinguish him from his son Macrianus Minor, was disqualified from the imperial office because of his lameness, but with support from Ballista, Roman emperor Valerians praefect, he had his two sons Macrianus Minor and Quietus elevated to the throne. ... Roman emperor Titus Fulvius Iunius Macrianus (died 261), also known as Macrianus Minor to distinguish him from his father, was the son of Fulvius Macrianus. ... Quietus coin celebrating Eternal Rome. ... Events Births Deaths Mussius Aemilianus, Roman Emperor Categories: 261 ... Regalianus (died 260) had been made general by emperor Valerian and like many others of his rank he was proclaimed Roman emperor in 260 after the capture and execution of Valerian by the Sasanid Persians. ... Events Valerian I captured by the Persian king Shapur I; Gallienus becomes sole Roman emperor. ... Balista was one of the Thirty Tyrants of Trebellius Pollio. ... Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi (d. ... VALENS was the maternal granduncle or uncle of the usurper Valens Junior. ... Memor (d. ... L. Mussius Aemilianus (died 261) was prefect of Egypt till 260, when he was proclaimed Roman emperor after the general upheaval following the capture and death of emperor Valerian and after the usurpation of the Macriani. ... // Events Births Deaths Xi Kang, author Other Often associated with the legendary Laurence 262, whos origins are unknown. ... The Gallic Empire (in Latin, imperium Galliarum) is the modern name for the independent realm that lived a brief existence during the Roman Empires Crisis of the Third Century, from 260 to 274. ... CELSUS (T. Cornelius), one of the Thirty Ty­rants enumerated by Trebellius Pollio. ... Saturninus is mentioned in the Historia Augusta as a Roman usurper during the reign of emperor Gallienus (253-268). ... TREBELLIANUS (TREBATIUS PRISCUS, or TREBATIUS TESTA) , one of the most insigni­ficant and despicable of the herd of thirty tyrants enumerated by Trebellius Pollio. ...

Claudius II: 268-270

• Censorinus (269-kS.270), almost certainly non-existent: "attested" only by the Augustan History (Trig. Tyr. 33) with no literary, epigraphical, numismatic support of any kind.

Claudius Gothicus on a coin celebrating his equity (AEQUITAS AUGUSTI). ... Censorinus (d. ... Events Felix I is elected pope. ... Events Quintillus briefly holds power over the Roman Empire, and is succeeded by Aurelian Vandals and Sarmatians driven out of Roman territory Romans leave Utrecht after regular invasions of Germanic people. ... The Augustan History (Lat. ...

Aurelian: 270-275

• Domitianus (270-271)
• Felicissimus (k.271) in Rome, a civil servant involved in corruption
• Septimius (kS.271) in Dalmatia
• Urbanus (271), questioned existence
• Firmus (k.273) in Egypt, questioned existence

Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (September 9, 214–275), known in English as Aurelian, Roman Emperor (270–275), was the second of several highly successful soldier-emperors who helped the Roman Empire regain its power during the latter part of the third century and the beginning of the fourth. ... Domitianus was a Roman military commander who declared himself emperor of the secessionist Gallic Empire (the provinces of Gaul (France and the Rhineland) and Britain) for a short time in about 271. ... Events Goths forced to withdraw across the Danube Roman Emperor Aurelian withdraws troops to the Danube frontier, abandoning Dacia. ... Felicissimus (d. ... Septimius or Septiminus was proclaimed Roman emperor in 271 in Dalmatia. ... Urbanus (d. ... Firmus (d. ... Events Under the command of Emperor Aurelian, the Roman Army sacks the city of Palmyra. ...

Probus: 276-282

• Bonosus (280)
• Proculus (280)
• Saturninus (280)

This antoninianus minted under Probus (c. ... Gallus Quintus Bonosus was a Roman usurper. ... Proculus derived his origin from the Franks. ... Roman emperor Iulius Saturninus (died 280) was a Gaul by birth (others have him as a Moor) and was a friend of the emperor Probus. ...

Unsuccessful usurpers in the 4th century

• Domitius Alexander (308-e.311) against Maxentius
• Magnentius (350–353) against Constantius II
• Claudius Silvanus 355 against Constantius II
• Procopius (366) against Valentinian I
• Magnus Maximus (388) against Theodosius I
• Eugenius (394) against Theodosius I