In the long list of emperors and supposed emperors during this period, a few stand out. In 253, Valerian (b. c. 193) became emperor, and soon his son Gallienus (c. 218-c. 268) joined him as co-ruler. The father took charge of military actions in the east, while the son focused on the west. Valerian had trouble battling the empires to the east; he was captured some time around 260, leaving Gallienus as the sole emperor. Gallienus then relied on the Roman client state of Palmyra to protect Roman interests in Asia Minor and the Middle East. Still, the Goths won major victories in that part of the empire. Jordanes, a fifth-century historian, wrote in his History of the Goths, “While Gallienus was given over to luxurious living of every sort. . . leaders of the Goths. . . sailed across the strait of the Hellespont to Asia. There they laid waste many populous cities and set fire to the renowned temple of Diana. . . .” The invaders then returned to their home in Europe, destroying more cities along the way.
In the west, Gallienus managed to drive out some barbarian tribes who had reached deep into the Italian peninsula. He also fought pirates who sailed off the coasts of Gaul and Britain. As in the east, he relied on a local leader, Postumus (dates unknown), for help. This Roman general had rebelled against Gallienus, but the emperor left him alone to deal with the barbarians who continued to threaten other parts of the western empire. Postumus forced Germanic invaders out of Gaul and successfully defended its borders. Postumus was the first “emperor” of a state within Rome, eventually ruling over Gaul and parts of Spain and Britain. He set up his own senate and minted his own coins.
Gallienus may have given up some control over parts of the empire, but he strengthened his rule in the Roman lands he still governed. He brought better officers into the army, replacing senators who were often more concerned with personal and political gain than military discipline. Within the army, Gallienus developed a larger cavalry corps, to combat enemies who fought well on horseback. And his decision to let other leaders control parts of the empire let him focus on preserving order in the heart of Roman Europe.
After Gallienus, Aurelian (c. 215-275) was the most successful emperor during the period of anarchy. He came to power in 270 and began several military campaigns that restored imperial rule to Gaul and the eastern regions under Palmyran control. Fearing attacks on the city of Rome, Aurelian built a huge defensive wall. The emperor gave himself a new title: Restorer of the World. The problem of foreign invasion however, was not over. For the next 200 years, the empire continued its slow decline.
World History
