Aurelian (9 September 214-October 275) was Roman emperor from 270 to 275, succeeding Quintillus and preceding Ulpia Severina, his wife. Aurelian presided over a divided empire during the Crisis of the Third Century, and he succeeded in reconquering Tetricus I's Gallic Empire and Zenobia's Palmyrene Empire before being assassinated by his own generals in 275 AD while preparing for a campaign against the Persians.
Biography[]
Aurelian in 270 AD
Lucius Domitius Aurelianus was born on 9 September 214 in Illyricum, Roman Empire, and he served in the Roman Army. As a veteran commander of the military under Claudius Gothicus, his soldiers acclaimed him the new emperor after Claudius' death in 270. This put him in opposition to Quintillus, Gothicus' brother, who had been proclaimed the new emperor by the Roman Senate. Quintillus was murdered by his own men in Aquileia that same year, allowing for Aurelian to become the new emperor. He campaigned against the Vandals, Juthungi, and Sarmatians in northern Italy, but his rule was challenged by both barbarians and by usurpers. In 272-273, he conquered the Palmyrene Empire of the Middle East, defeating Queen Zenobia and reconquering the lost Roman lands there. In 274, he proceeded to conquer the Gallic Empire of the late Postumus as well, reconquering Gaul and Western Europe for Rome. Aurelian reorganized persecutions against Christians and made Sol Invictus the main Roman god, reforming Roman society, and he also issued coinage reform. Aurelian - already known for his ruthless reputation - was very tough on corruption, and he threatened the clerk Eros after Eros lied to him about Rome's finances. Eros convinced Aurelian's generals that he intended to murder them, so they took it upon themselves to kill him first. Aurelian was murdered by his own troops at Caenophrurium, Thrace while waiting to cross the Bosphorus for a campaign against the Sassanids.
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