List of Roman usurpers explained
The following is a list of usurpers in the Roman Empire. For an overview of the problem and consequences of usurpation, see Roman usurpers. In the Eastern Roman Empire (395–1453), rebellion and usurpation were so notoriously frequent (in the vision of the medieval West, where usurpation was rare) that the modern term "byzantine" became a byword for political intrigue and conspiracy. For usurpation in the Eastern Roman Empire, see List of Byzantine usurpers.
Usurpers who became legitimate emperors
See also: List of Roman emperors.
The following individuals began as usurpers, but became the legitimate emperor either by establishing uncontested control of the empire or by confirmation of their position by the Roman Senate or by the legitimate emperor.
First Imperial civil war
See main article: Year of the Four Emperors.
Second Imperial civil war
See main article: Year of the Five Emperors and Severan dynasty.
Crisis of the Third Century
See main article: Year of the Six Emperors and Crisis of the Third Century.
Tetrarchy and Later Empire
See main article: Tetrarchy.
Western Empire
Most Western emperors were accepted by the Roman Senate (possibly except for Constans II) but almost never recognized as colleagues by the Eastern Emperors.[1] Three of them, (Constantine III, Priscus Attalus, and Constans II), reigned alongside the legitimate Emperor of the West Honorius, who accepted Constantine III as his co-emperor in 409. Upon his recognition, Constantine III appointed his son Constans II co-emperor.
Usurpers not considered legitimate emperors
The following individuals proclaimed themselves emperor (or were proclaimed or appointed as emperor), but are not considered as legitimate emperors because they did not oust the ruling emperor, or did not establish control of the whole empire, or were not accepted by the senate or other imperial colleagues.
They are listed here under the emperor whose rule they attempted to usurp. The noted date is the attempted year of usurpation.
Claudius: 41–54
- Avidius Cassius (175), in Egypt and Syria, governor of Syria, declared himself emperor upon the rumor that Marcus Aurelius had died, continued his revolt even upon learning Marcus Aurelius was alive.
Elagabalus: 218–222
- Triccianus (c. 218)
- Gellius Maximus (219), in Syria, executed, originally an officer of Legio IV Scythica
- Verus (late 219), in Syria, executed, commander of Legio III Gallica
- Uranius (c. 221), questioned existence and date; sources place him in 253
- Seleucus (after 221). He could be Julius Antonius Seleucus, in Moesia, or M. Flavius Vitellius Seleucus, consul for 221
- Sallustius (c. 227), in Rome, raised to Caesar by Alexander, executed for attempted murder, prefect of the Praetorian Guard
- Taurinus (S. date unclear), in the East, committed suicide in the Euphrates after being hailed Augustus
- Ovinius Camillus, alleged usurper mentioned only in the Historia Augusta, now thought to have been fictitious
- Magnus (235), ordered some soldiers of Maximinus to destroy the bridge that allowed the Emperor to cross back the Rhine, a former consul
- Quartinus (235), in the East, supported by soldiers loyal to former emperor Alexander Severus
- Sabinianus (240), in Africa, governor of the province
See main article: Gallienus usurpers.
- Ingenuus (260) in Pannonia, committed suicide, former governor
- Macrianus Major, Macrianus Minor and Quietus (September 260 – Autumn 261) in the East, all killed by their own soldiers in different occasions
- Regalianus (260) in Pannonia, ruled with his wife
- Balista (also: Ballista) (Autumn e.261) in the East, former Praetorian prefect, associated with the former
- Piso (kS.261) in Achaea, questioned existence
- Valens (k.261) in Achaea, killed by Macrinus, former governor
- Memor (e.261) in Egypt
- Mussius Aemilianus (261 – Spring e.262) in Egypt
- The emperors of the Gallic Empire
- The emperors of the Palmyrene Empire
- The fictitious usurpers:
- Sponsianus in Dacia, contested numismatic evidence only
- Domitianus (270–271) most probably in Southern Gaul. He was probably encouraged by Aurelian's difficulties in dealing with an Alamannic incursion into Italy that occurred early in his reign. His bid for power could have been suppressed by Aurelian's Praetorian Prefect, Placidianus who was in the Rhone valley at the time or by Tetricus, the Gallic Emperor.
- Felicissimus (k.271) in Rome, a civil servant involved in corruption
- Septimius (kS.271) in Dalmatia
- Urbanus (271), questioned existence
- Firmus (k.273) in Egypt, questioned existence
Unsuccessful regional usurpers after the fall of Rome (476)
Notes and References
- Book: Philip Grierson, Mark A. S. Blackburn. Medieval European Coinage: With a Catalogue of the Coins in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. 1986. Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-26009-1. 7.
- Web site: Avitus. The Imperial Index: The Rulers of the Roman Empire. From Augustus to Constantine XI Palaeologus . 8 December 2021.
