M. Aurelius Claudius
Emperor 268-270 |
268-270
Claudius [b. 214], a leading general under Valerian and Gallienus, was part of the
conspiracy to overthrow Gallienus. He first suppressed the rebellion of Aureolus,
then inflicted
a crushing defeat on German invaders. With a force seemingly hopelessly outnumbered, he
next campaigned successfully against an immense army of Goths which had invaded the
empire; the Gothic host was devastated by plague, which spread to the Roman army, and took
Claudius' life at Sirmium in August 270. For his victory Claudius was awarded the
honorific "Gothicus Maximus," was deified, and became one of Rome's most revered
heroes. Constantine claimed Claudius as an ancestor,
striking commemorative coins.
Claudius' younger brother was proclaimed emperor after his death, but
after Aurelian
was also acclaimed, Quintillus, no match for that general, took his own life in
despair after reigning less than two months. |
M. Aurelius Claudius
QuintillusEmperor
270 |
