Roman Emperor Aurelian
Lucius Domitius Aurelianus was a Roman emperor who ruled from the year 270 AD to 275 AD. Known in English simply as Aurelian, he was the second in a succession of emperors who were originally soldiers.
These "soldier-emperors" were, on the whole, highly effective leaders who were largely instrumental in helping the Roman Empire regain its power, which had waned considerably in recent years, during the latter part of the third century and towards the beginning of the fourth century.
Under the rule of Aurelian, the Roman Empire was finally able to enjoy the benefits of full unity, meaning that it was under his rule that the empire was finally fully united. This came in the wake of fifteen years of uprisings and the devastating loss of almost two-thirds of its combined territories, which were lost to break away factions.
These factions later went on to form the Palmyrene Empire in the east and the Gallic Empire in the west. The constant barbarian invasions were also an ever-present threat that was finally effectively neutralised during Aurelian's reign. History will forever remember Aurelian as the emperor, who brought an end to the Crisis of the Third Century, which the Roman Empire had previously suffered under.
Aurelian was born on September 9th, 214 AD, to a little-known family. His place of birth has been recorded as either Dacia ripensis or Sirmium (Pannonia). The name "Aurelian" actually originated from a Roman senator who bore that name. Aurelian's father was a tenant under this man and the senator saw fit to grant the entire family his name, which was a somewhat common practice during those days.
The boy Aurelian grew up to become a highly regarded general who saw action in many wars. His victories eventually led him to serve under Emperor Gallienus for whom he became the right-hand man and dux equitum (cavalry commander). One of his most noteworthy victories occurred in the year 268 AD, when he successfully fought back the well-equipped and well-trained Gothic cavalry force in the much-celebrated Battle of Naissus.
This victory was all the more notable in that it was the battle that thwarted the most dangerous threat to the Roman Empire since the time of Hannibal. Some historical records have also claimed that Aurelian was directly involved in the assassination plot against Gallienus in the year 268 AD. Aurelian was also known to have supported Claudius II's bid for power.
Aurelian would finally come to power as the emperor of Rome in the year 270 AD. This event was occasioned by the death of the then emperor, Claudius. Upon his passing, Claudius' brother, backed by his supporters in the Roman senate, made a bid for power. He would have been successful if not for the refusal of the army to recognise him as the new emperor.
As was typically the case in the troubled Third Century, they instead preferred to throw in their support behind someone in their own ranks. In this case, that someone was Aurelian and by September of 270 AD, the legions in Sirmium had proclaimed him as their own choice for emperor.
Aurelian acted quickly and decisively to move against the threat to his rule and he subsequently defeated the armies of defeated Quintillus. The Roman senate at this point had no choice but to accept him as the new legitimate claimant to the throne. There have been reports that Claudius on his deathbed, made known his support for Aurelian as his successor although these claims have not been verified as fact.
In any case, Aurelian was proclaimed the new Roman emperor and one of the first acts he undertook was to recover the huge territories that the empire had lost in the previous years as well as the reformation of the res publica.
To fully appreciate the enormity of the task, which faced Aurelian at the start of his reign, it is important to realise that external enemies from almost all sides threatened the Roman Empire at that time. There was even the constant threat of rebellious uprisings from within its own walls. The economic state of the empire was also quite dire at that time, with the agricultural and the commercial sectors in particular suffering under the general political instability.
Aurelian died in 275 AD
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 22/07/2008
