Carausius

• Carausius (286-293 CE) was the Emperor of the breakaway Britannic Empire (286-296 CE).

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius
• CARAUSIUS’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • 286-293 CE. 7 years.
• CAURAUSIUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Date of birth unknown. Died in 293 CE.
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born in Belgium. Died in Britannia.
• CARAUSIUS’ PREDECESSOR:
  • Carausius was the first Emperor of the Britannic Empire.
• CARAUSIUS’ SUCCESSOR:
  • Allectus
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • He decided to rebel and secede from Maximian and Diocletian.
  • He started the Carausian Revolt which is also known as the Britannic Empire.
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • He was murdered by Allectus, his minister of finance.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Unknown.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

Introduction:

• • Carausius was from the Menapii tribe in Germania Inferior. He started out as a pilot, navigating vessels to shore.
  • In 286 CE, He was part of Maximian‘s campaign against the Bagaudae in northern Gaul, where he demonstrated his leadership skills. As a result, Maximian made him Commander of the Fleet in the North Sea, the Classis Britannica, with instructions to defeat the Saxon and Frankish pirates.

Carausian Revolt or Britannic Empire (286-296 CE):

• • However, in 287 or 288 CE, Maximian learnt that Carausius was working with the pirates, and not against them. As a consequence, he ordered Carausius’ execution.
  • With nothing to lose, Carausius declared Britain independent and himself as ‘Emperor of the North’.
  • Carausius seceded Britannia from Rome, along with northern Gaul. He held the three British Legions, the British Fleet, and another Legion from Gaul, along with various mercenary units.

Maximian moves into Gaul (288-9 CE):

• • Maximian mustered an invasion force in 288-289 CE, but failed to invade.

Constantius I Chlorus moves into Gaul (293 CE):

• • In 293 CE, Constantius I Chlorus was promoted to Caesar by Maximian, was sent to retake Britannia.
  • His Legions moved into Gaul, capturing Boulogne and retaking the Rhine Delta.

Assassination of Carausius (293 CE):

• • However, before Constantius I Chlorus could build a fleet to invade Britannia, Carausius was assassinated by Allectus his finance minister.
  • Allectus then ruled Britannia for another three years.

Invasion by Constantius I Chlorus (296 CE):

• • Finally, an invasion fleet sailed in 296 CE, commanded by Constantius I Chlorus from Boulogne, and another fleet sailed in fog around the Isle of Wight, commanded by Julius Asclepiodotus.
  • The fleets combined to overthrow Allectus, and Britannia returned to Roman Rule.

Coin Issues:

• • Coins with unique titles and quotes were issued by Carausius from London and Rouen:
    • ‘Expectate veni’, ‘Come, expected one’, – a quote from the Aeneid by Virgil.
    • ‘RSR’ – ‘Redeunt Saturnia Regna’, (‘The Golden Age is back’) from Virgil
    • ‘INPCDA’ – ‘Iam Nova Progenies Caelo Demittitur Alto’, (Now a new generation is descended from heaven).
  • These are the 6th and 7th lines from Virgil‘s Eclogue. The educated Romans knew this to be Virgil, as famous lines from poetry were frequently reduced to sets of initials.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES:
  • Eutropius Abridgement of Roman History.

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