Aemilianus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aemilianus |
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Coin featuring Aemilian. Legend: imp. aemilianvs pivs fel avg.
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| Roman emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | June–September 253 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus | ||||||||
| Successor | Valerian and Gallienus | ||||||||
| Born | c. 210 Girba djerba, Africa |
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| Died | September 253 near Spoletium, Italy (aged approximately 43) |
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| Spouse | Cornelia Supera | ||||||||
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Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus (around 210 – September 253), often called Aemilian, was a Roman emperor. He ruled for only three months in the year 253.
Before becoming emperor, Aemilian was a military commander. He led the Roman troops in a region called Moesia. There, he won a big victory against the Goths, who were invading. Because of this win, his army declared him emperor.
Aemilian then quickly marched into Roman Italy. He defeated the current Emperor Trebonianus Gallus in August 253. But just a month later, Aemilian was killed by his own soldiers. This happened when another general, Valerian, claimed the title of emperor and moved against Aemilian with a much larger army.
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Who Was Aemilian?
Aemilian was born in the Roman province of Africa. This area is now part of modern-day Tunisia. Some old writings say he was born around the year 207. Other sources suggest he was about 40 years old when he died in 253.
Historians have different ideas about his family. Some say he came from a very ordinary family. Others suggest he might have used his family background to gain power. His full name, Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus, hints that his family might have become Roman citizens a long time ago.
Aemilian was married to a woman named Cornelia Supera. She was also from Africa. We don't know exactly when they got married. It's possible they married before Aemilian left his home province.
What Was Aemilian's Military Career Like?
During the time of Emperor Trebonianus Gallus and his son Volusianus (251–253), Aemilian was sent to lead an army in the Balkans. His main job was to keep the peace along the Danube River border. This area was often attacked by the Goths, led by their king, Cniva.
Emperor Gallus became emperor after the previous emperor, Decius, died fighting the Goths. Gallus was not very popular with the Roman army. This was partly because he signed some agreements with the Goths and the Persians that many Romans found humiliating. Some historians believe Aemilian was already planning to go against Gallus even before he took command in Moesia.
How Did Aemilian Become Emperor?
In 253, the Goths claimed they had not received payments from the Romans. These payments were part of a peace treaty from 251. So, the Goths crossed the border and attacked Roman lands.
Aemilian was in charge of the army defending this area. His troops were worried because they had recently lost a big battle. Aemilian encouraged his soldiers. He reminded them of Roman honor and promised them victory. The Romans then surprised the Goths, defeating most of them. They also took back stolen goods and freed prisoners.
After this big win, Aemilian's soldiers declared him emperor. This was a common way for new emperors to rise during this troubled time in Roman history.
Aemilian quickly marched towards Rome with his army. He wanted to face Emperor Gallus before Gallus could get more soldiers. Gallus and his son Volusianus left Rome to meet Aemilian. They declared Aemilian an "enemy of the State."
The two armies met in a battle near modern Terni, in Italy. Aemilian won this battle. Gallus and Volusianus tried to escape, but their own guards killed them in August 253. The guards hoped to get a reward for this betrayal.
Aemilian then continued his march to Rome. The Roman Senate, after a short time, decided to recognize him as the new emperor. Some sources say Aemilian wrote to the Senate. He promised to fight for the Roman Empire and then give up his power to the Senate. He saw himself as a general working for them.
Aemilian received several important titles. These included Pius (dutiful), Felix (lucky), and Pater Patriae (father of the country). He also became the pontifex maximus, the chief priest. His coins showed that he wanted people to see him as a strong military leader. He had defeated the Goths when others thought it was impossible. This made him seem like the right person to bring back Rome's power.
Why Did Aemilian's Reign End?
Meanwhile, Valerian, who was a governor of the Rhine provinces, was bringing his army south. Some historians believe Valerian's army was originally called by Gallus for help. But modern historians think Valerian moved his army to claim power for himself after Gallus died.
Emperor Aemilian's soldiers became worried. They feared a civil war against Valerian's larger army. So, they turned against Aemilian. They killed him near Spoletium in Italy. After Aemilian's death, his name was officially erased from public records. This was called damnatio memoriae, a way to dishonor someone after they died.
A Roman historian named Eutropius summed up Aemilian's short time as emperor. He said that Aemilian came from a very ordinary family, his rule was even more ordinary, and he was killed in his third month as emperor.
Images for kids
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Coin featuring Aemilian. Legend: imp. aemilianvs pivs fel avg.
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Cornelia Supera (or Supra), was the wife of Aemilianus. Legend: CORNEL. SVPERA AVG. / VESTA
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The Flaminian Way, here in purple, divided into two branches next to modern Terni; Aemilian, who was descending from north upon Rome, defeated Trebonianus Gallus on the eastern branch.
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Coin of Aemilian, showing at the obverse the god of war Mars, a reference to the military virtues of the emperor. Legend: IMP. CAES. AEMILIANVS AVG. P. F. AVG. / MARTI PACIF.
See also
In Spanish: Emiliano para niños
