Postumus

  • Postumus  (260-269 CE) was the Emperor of the breakaway Gallic Empire (260-274 CE).

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

  • NAME:
    • Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus
  • POSTUMUS’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
    • 260-269 CE
  • POSTUMUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
    • Born: date unknown. Died in 269 CE.
  • PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
    • Born in Gaul. Died in Mainz.
  • POSTUMUS’ PREDECESSOR:
  • POSTUMUS’ SUCCESSOR:
  • HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
    • He was Commander of the Rhine and his Legions declared him Emperor.
  • DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • WHERE BURIED:
    • Unknown.
  • POSTUMUS WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
    • He created the Gallic Empire.
    • He created a notable issue of Gold Coins known as ‘The Labours of Hercules’ series in 268 CE.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

The Gallic Empire

  • BACKGROUND

    • Whilst the Emperor Gallienus was campaigning on the Danube, he left his son Salolinus as Governor with his Praefectus Praetorio, Silvanus.
    • Postumus was the Commander of the Rhine Legions.
    • In 260 CE, Postumus defeated the Juthungian Army as it returned from Italy laden with booty and prisoners.
    • Salolinus demanded the booty be sent to him in Cologne, on the recommendation of Silvanus.
    • The Rhine legions then declared Postumus Emperor, and besieged and entered Cologne. Salolinus and Silvanus were executed, leaving Postumus as chief commander.

  • ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARALLEL ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE WEST

    • This became known as the Gallic Empire with its capital either at Trier or Cologne.
    • He then setup a parallel State to that in Rome, adopting the title of Emperor, Consul and Pontifex Maximus and calling himself ‘Germanicus Maximus’ after defeating the Germanic tribes. He established his own Senate of predominantly Gallic origin, with his own Praetorian Guard and Prefect.

  • GALLIENUS’ ONLY INVASION OF GAUL FAILS

    • In 265 CE Gallienus was finally free to bring his Cavalry Army, the Comitatenses, to Gaul and challenge Postumus.
    • Despite an initial defeat, Aureolis, the cavalry Commander allowed Postumus to escape and regroup. Aureolis appears to have been dismissed from the Comitatenses and sent to Raetia.
    • Gallienus became preoccupied with Revolts and Germanic Invasions, and never challenged Postumus again.

  • POSTUMUS ISSUES HIS OWN COINAGE

    • In 265 CE Postumus issued coins celebrating his victory over Gallienus.
    • In 268 CE Postumus elevated a Gallic noble Marcus Piavonius Victorinus, to joint Consul alongside himself.
    • In 268 CE Postumus issued Gold coins celebrating the Twelve Labours of Hercules. However, he appears to have been experiencing disaffection in his army.

  • POSTUMUS IS INVITED TO INVADE ITALY

    • In 268 CE Aureolus, the former Comitatenses commander, declared his support for Postumus as Emperor, from Milan where the Comitatenses were based, and included Raetia.
    • But Postumus declined to accept the crown and invade Italy.
    • The Emperor Gallienus then rushed back to defeat Aureolis, but was assassinated during his siege of Milan. Aureolus fled to Gaul, but Postumus wisely made no move to invade Italy.
    • On 1st Jan 269 CE, Postumus was re-elected Consul, but the Rhine Legions were dissatisfied.

  • POSTUMUS’ ASSASSINATION

    • Unfortunately, Postumus’ own troops had wanted to sack Mainz against his wishes, so they assassinated him.
    • He was replaced by an ordinary soldier, Marius, who declared himself Emperor.
    • Postumus’ Consul Victorinus, quickly arrived in Mainz and executed Marius, regaining control of the Gallic Empire. However, during this episode, Spain was lost.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

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