Allectus

• Allectus (293-296 CE) was the second Emperor of the breakaway Britannic Empire.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Allectus
• ALLECTUS’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • 293-296 CE as Emperor of the Britannic Empire
• ALLECTUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Date of birth unknown. Died in 296 CE.
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Place of birth unknown. Died near London, possibly near Silchester.
• ALLECTUS’ PREDECESSOR:
  • Carausius
• ALLECTUS’ SUCCESSOR:
  • Constantius I Chlorus
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • He assassinated Carausius
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • He was killed by Julius Asclepiodotus in battle, possibly near Silchester.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Unknown.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

Rise to Power:

• Allectus was the chief finance minister for Carausius.
• When Constantius I Chlorus retook Boulogne in 293 CE, with the intention of invading Britannia, Allectus saw his opportunity and assassinated Carausius.
• Allectus managed to rule independently from Maximian and Diocletian for a further three years, and continued issuing coins in northern Gaul, despite the loss of Boulogne.

The Invasion of Constantius I Chlorus:

• Finally, in 296 CE, two fleets were assembled in northern Gaul. Constantius I Chlorus set sail from Boulogne. His other commander was Julius Asclepiodotus, who commanded a second fleet. This fleet departed from the river Seine, and bypassed Allectus’ fleet in a fog around the Isle of Wight, landing successfully on the south coast, possibly near Southampton or Chichester.
• Asclepiodotus pursued Allectus towards London, and Allectus was caught between this army and that of Constantius I Chlorus, possibly near Silchester.
• Allectus was killed in the battle.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES:
  • Eutropius Abridgement of Roman History