Julius Nepos Emperor of the West 473-475 AD Emperor in Exile 477-480 AD Julius Nepos was the son of the Magister Militum, Nepotianus. His mother was the sister of the semi-independent Magister Militum of Dalmatia, Marcellinus. Julius became the heir to Marcellinus receiving his post in Dalmatia. He married into the royal family by taking […]

Valentinian III 425-455 AD Placidius Valentinian III was born in 419 AD the son of Constantius III and Galla Placidia. Placidia fled from the court of Honorius at Ravenna in 423 AD when her half-brother began to take an interest in her. She took her children to the court of Arcadius, her other half-brother in […]

Carausius Usurper of Britain 287 – 293 AD Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius was a man of humble origin who came from Menapia, an area in Belgium. Nevertheless, he rose through the ranks due to a distinguished career. Carausius gained much fame for his military skills during in the campaigns under Emperor Maximianus (286-305AD) against the Franks and the […]

Amandus Circa 285-286 AD Nothing is known of Gnaeus Silvius Amandus (285-286AD) other than three surviving coins one of which was in the collection of Sir Arthur Evans according to Roman Imperial Coins (RIC). We do not find Amandus listed among the 30 Tyrants of the Historia Augusta and as such, this person remains a mystery. What […]

Carus Ostia Museum 282 – 283 AD Marcus Aurelius Carus was the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard under Probus. Upon the Emperor’s death, Carus was proclaimed Emperor by the troops. He immediately conferred the rank of Caesar on his two sons Carinus and Numerian, and set out on an expedition against the Persians. Numerian accompanied his […]

Septimia Zenobia (271-272AD) Æ Antoninianus as Augusta Queen of Palmyra Mother of Vabalathus Eastern Usurper of Rome Septimia Zenobia was the second wife of Odenathus, king of Palmyra. Zenobia had taken over the government of Palmyra following her husband’s assassination in 267 AD. She successfully defeated the attempts of Emperor Gallienus (253-268AD) to retake the lost […]

Lucius Domitius Aurelianus was born to humble parents at Sirmium sometime between 207 and 215 AD, most likely on September 9th, 214 AD. Aurelian adopted a military career, and by his skill, courage, and bodily strength, he ultimately became one of the Empire’s greatest generals of the 3rd century. Aurelian’s reputation as a cavalry commander was perhaps […]

Domitianus Gallic Usurper circa 268 AD Gaius Domitianus was a usurper known from several sources. He is said to have been the victor over the Emperor Macrianus. However, it has also been suggested that Macrianus was defeated by Aureolus, the rebel general of the siege of Milan (see Gallienus). After his victory (over someone), Domitianus […]

Uranius Antoninus 253-254 AD Usurper of Emesa, Syria Julius Aurelius Sulpicius Uranius Antoninus was a usurper who rose to power in Syria. Uranius was known as the priest-king. He successfully defended Emesa against the Persian invasion led by Shapur I in 253AD. Although the Persians succeeded in sacking Antioch, they withdrew from the region. Uranius was […]

Cornelia Supera Wife of M. Aemilius Aemilianus 253 AD Cornelia Supera is a woman who was completely unknown to history if it had not been for surviving specimens of her coinage. Cornelia was most likely married to the usurper Aemilian and quite possibly a native of Mauretania as was her husband. Prior to Aemilian’s grasp of power, […]