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Roman Emperor Aurelian

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Roman Emperor Aurelian

One of the Greatest of Military Strategists

AD 270 - 275

While the mid-third century was a time of crisis for the Roman empire, the last third of the century was a period of renewal. Emperors continued to emerge from the military through the familiar pattern of usurpation. Yet somehow this extra-constitutional process managed to throw up a number of men with real interest in Rome, which set them apart from the narrow power-seekers of the past.

The reign of the energetic Aurelian marked a real turning point in the declining fortunes of Rome. His principal ambition was the recovery of lost territories that had declared themselves independent during the time of troubles. By the end of his reign the Empire was virtually restored to its former boundaries.

In his short five year reign, he handed the enemies of Rome order an unprecedented series of shattering defeats. Taking up after Claudius Gothicus, Aurelian drove back successive waves of invaders. Goths, vandals and Alemanni. He subdued numerous usurpers and put down a bloody revolt by the workers in Rome. A rebellion prompted by his efforts to reform a corrupt monetary system. Remains of the massive defensive wall he built around the city are still visible today. All this occurred in the first two years of his reign.

The second half of his reign saw the collapse of two breakaway provinces, Palmyra in the East and the Gallic empire in the West, with Zenobia Queen of Palmyra and Tetricus Emperor of Gual, participating in a glorious triumph in Rome. Aurelian's final campaign to subdue the perpetually troublesome Parthians, was aborted when a cabal of disgruntled officers arranged his assassination.

His death in A.D. 275 was deeply grieved by many grateful Romans. Not only his military expertise but also his reforms of domestic affairs were even more appreciated after his passing.