M. Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius
British Emperor 287-293 Carausius,
a Menapian commanding the fleet at Boulogne, took up piracy,
and conquered Britain. He ruled effectively for six years, defeating all attempts to
recover Britain, but in 293, after reverses
including the loss of Boulogne, he was overthrown by his
treasurer Allectus. |
The First British Empire
287-297
Maximian appointed Carausius to command his fleet, with orders to suppress
pirates off the coasts of Gaul and Britain. Carausius took up piracy himself and conquered
Britain. Maximian initially could not suppress this rebellion, but in 293 Constantius took
Boulogne; Carausius was overthrown, and Allectus was unable to resist a later invasion
of Britain. |
Allectus
British Emperor 293-297 Apart
from his coinage, Allectus is an enigma; we do not even know his full name. He
lacked the military ability of Carausius, and when Constantius landed in Britain in 297,
Allectus was deceived by diversionary tactics, caught off balance and killed in
battle. |
