Gallienus, Publius Licinius Egnatius

Gallienus, Publius Licinius Egnatius

(born c. 218—died 268) Roman emperor who ruled jointly with his father, Valerian (253–260), then alone (260–268). With the empire disintegrating under foreign invasions, the Senate made Gallienus co-emperor. He took charge of the western frontiers, winning a series of battles against the Goths and others. When the Persians devastated the East and his father died in captivity, Gallienus was left with only Italy and the Balkans. Later the Goths attacked anew; he was killed while trying to put down an insurgency. His reforms as emperor included the transfer of army command to professional equestrian officers, expansion of the cavalry, and an intellectual renaissance at Rome, discernible in its art and literature.

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Gallienus, Publius Licinius Egnatius 

Born A.D. 218; died A.D. 268. Roman emperor from 253 (until 260 he was co-ruler with his father Valerian).

Gallienus carried out a reform of the cavalry. Relying on the support of the urban strata and the army, he tried to limit the role of the senators, removing them from high military positions. This met with sharp opposition from the Senate. Gallienus was killed near Mediolanum (present-day Milan) during a revolt led by Aureolus, chief of the cavalry.

REFERENCES

De Regibus Luca, La monarchia militare di Gallieno. Genoa, 1939.
Manni, E. L’impero di Gallieno. Rome, 1949.