Carus

Carus (282-283 CE) was a Roman Emperor during the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 CE).
In 283 CE he sacked Ctesiphon in Parthia and was awarded the title of ‘Persicus Maximus’.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

NAME:
- Marcus Numerius Carus
CARUS’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
- 282 CE to July-August 283 CE.
CARUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born in c. 222 CE. Died in July-August 283 CE.
PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born in Narbonne, Gallia Narbonensis. Died in Mesopotamia on the Tigris.
CARUS’ PREDECESSOR:
- Probus
CARUS’ SUCCESSOR:
- Carinus and Numerian, his sons.
HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
- Carus’ Legions proclaimed him Emperor.
DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
- Carus died of natural causes whilst campaigning in Parthia, and was succeeded by his son.
WHERE BURIED:
- Unknown.
CARUS WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
- Carus sacked Ctesiphon, in Parthia in 283 CE.

Carus was made Praefectus Praetorio by Probus and given command of the Eastern Legions.
In 282 CE, Carus’ legions proclaimed him Emperor, and Probus was assassinated en-route to challenge him.

First, Carus proclaimed his two sons Numerian and Carinus as co-emperors.
Leaving Carinus in Rome, Carus then took Numerian with him to campaign in the East.
Carus began by campaigning on the Danube against the Quadi and the Sarmatians, who were defeated. He was awarded the title of ‘Germanicus Maximus’.
Next, Carus moved through Thrace and Asia Minor, retaking Mesopotamia and sacked Ctesiphon, the capital of Parthia.
His victory helped avenge the defeat and capture of Valerian in 260 CE, and the Senate awarded him the title of ‘Persicus Maximus’.

Carus died of natural causes whilst campaigning in Parthia, and was succeeded by his sons.