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Postumus - Roman Emperor: 260-268 A.D.
Bronze Double Sestertius 27mm (17.0 grams)
Colonia Agrippinensis mint: 264-265 A.D.
Reference: RIC 143c, C 179
IMPCMCASSLATPOSTVMVSPFAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
LAETITIA Exe: AVG - Galley right.
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Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was a Roman emperor of
Batavian origin. He usurped power from
Gallienus
in 260 and formed the so called
Gallic Empire. He was recognized in Gaul, Germania, Britannia and Iberia
until his murder in 268.
Rise to power
Little is known about the early life of Postumus, but it is believed that he
was a
Batavian of humble origins who rose through the ranks of the army,
eventually becoming the governor of
Germania Superior or
Inferior. While
Gallienus
was dealing with problems in the east, he left his son,
Saloninus,
and military commanders, including Postumus, to protect the
Rhine. Amid the
chaos of an invasion by the
Alamanni
and Franks,
Postumus was declared emperor. Postumus then besieged and attacked
Cologne where
Silvanus, praetorian prefect and former co-director of Roman policy on Gaul
(along with Postumus) had sided with Saloninus. After breaching the walls of the
city, Postumus had Silvanus and Saloninus killed; later he erected a triumphal
arch to celebrate his victory.
Rule
Postumus was recognized as emperor in Gaul,
Hispania,
Germany, and Britain. He set up the capital of his empire at
Cologne,
complete with its own senate, consuls and praetorian guard. He represented
himself as the restorer of Gaul on some of his coins, a title he earned after
successfully defending Gaul against the Germans. The coins issued by Postumus
were of better workmanship and higher precious metal content than coins issued
by Gallienus.
In 263, Gallienus launched a campaign to defeat Postumus. After initial
success against him, Gallienus was seriously wounded and needed to return home.
After his failed attempt at defeating Postumus, Gallienus was occupied with
crises in the rest of his empire and never challenged Postumus again.
Aureolus,
a general of Gallienus who was in command of
Milan, openly
changed sides and allied himself with Postumus. The city of Milan would have
been critical to Postumus if he planned to march on Rome. For whatever reason,
Postumus failed to support Aureolus, who was besieged by Gallienus.
Postumus was himself challenged by a usurper in 268, one of the many
so-called
Gallienus usurpers of the period.
Laelianus,
one of Postumus' top military leaders, was declared emperor in
Mainz by the
local garrison and surrounding troops (Legio
XXII Primigenia). Although Postumus was able to quickly capture Mainz
and kill Laelianus, he was unable to control his own troops and they turned on
him and killed him, since they were dissatisfied with him for not allowing them
to sack the city of Mainz (Aur.
Vict. 33.8;
Eutrop.
9.9.1).
Following the death of Postumus, his empire lost control of Britain and
Spain, and the shrunken remains of the
Gallic Empire were inherited by
Marcus Aurelius Marius.
Postumus is listed among the
Thirty Tyrants in the
Historia Augusta. Although his reign is often listed as beginning in 259, it
is now believed that the summer or fall of 260 is the more likely date that he
was hailed emperor. This topic is still debated. If the date of 260 is chosen
for the start of Postumus' reign, then all of the subsequent dates involving the
Gallic Empire are pushed forward by one year. |
