Gallienus

One of the key characteristics of the [Crisis of the Third Century]? was the inability of the Emperors to maintain their hold on the Imperium for any marked length of time. An exception to this rule was the reign of the Emperor Gallienus, whose rule lasted from AD 253 to 268. The fact that Gallienus acted as co-Emperor with his father, Valerian?, from 253-260 may have had something to do with his success. Father and son each wielded his authority over a smaller area, thus allowing for more concentrated control and imperial presence. Another, more probably reason, lay in Gallienus's success in convincing Rome that he was in control, even though evidence points to the contrary.

In AD 259, Valerian was taken in battle against Zenobia?, Queen of Palmyra?. Although aware that his father had been taken alive (the only Emperor to have suffered this fate) and was reputed to have been flayed and turned into a footstool, Gallienus did not make public Valerian's death until a year later. His decision hinged on the fact that Romans believed that their fate rose and fell with the fate of the Emperor, which in turn depended upon his demonstrating the proper amount of piety (Lat. pietas?)to the gods and maintaining their favor. A defeated Emperor would surely have suggested that the gods had forsaken Valerian and, by extension, Gallienus.

Gallienus's chief method of reinforcing his position is seen in the coinage produced during his reign. The coinage provides clear evidence of a successful propaganda campaign. Gallienus took pains to make sure that he was regularly represented as victorius, merciful, and pious. The people who used these coins on a daily basis saw these messages and, with little evidence to the contrary, remained supportive of their Emperor. See Numismatics?.

There were, however, those who knew better. During Gallienus's reign, there was constant fighting on the western fringes of the Empire. As early as 258, Gallienus had lost control over a large part of Gaul, where another general, Postumus, had declared his own Roman Empire. As Gallienus's power waned, another general came to the fore. In time-honored tradition, Claudius Gothicus gained the loyalty of his army and succeeded Gallienus to the Imperium.

See

Roman Empire

Roman Emperors