Julius Asclepiodotus facts for kids
Julius Asclepiodotus was an important Roman official. He was a praetorian prefect, which was a high-ranking job in the Roman Empire. He worked for several Roman emperors, including Aurelian, Probus, and Diocletian. In the year 292, he was also a consul, another very important position. In 296, he helped a Roman leader named Constantius Chlorus. Together, they brought Britain back under Roman control. Britain had been ruled illegally by two men, Carausius and Allectus.
Taking Back Britain: A Roman Victory
After Carausius was killed in 293, Allectus took over Britain. He ruled the island until 296. That year, Constantius Chlorus planned an invasion to take Britain back.
Constantius sailed from Boulogne with his main fleet. At the same time, Asclepiodotus took a part of the Roman fleet. He also took Roman soldiers from San Dun Sandouville and near Le Havre. They managed to sneak past Allectus's fleet near the Isle of Wight. A thick fog helped them stay hidden.
Asclepiodotus and his troops landed safely. They probably landed near Southampton or Chichester. Once they landed, they burned their ships. This meant they had to win; there was no turning back!
Allectus tried to escape from the coast. But Constantius's forces cut him off. Allectus and his army were defeated. Some of Constantius's soldiers had gotten separated by the fog. They later met the rest of Allectus's men in London. These remaining forces were also defeated.
Asclepiodotus in Old Stories
Asclepiodotus also appears in old British legends. These stories are from the Middle Ages. Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about him in his book, History of the Kings of Britain (written in 1136).
In this legend, Asclepiodotus is a native king of Britain. He is shown as a duke from Cornwall. He becomes king to fight against Allectus. The story says Allectus was a Roman who treated the people of Britain very badly.
Asclepiodotus defeats and kills Allectus near London. He then surrounds the rest of Allectus's soldiers in the city. The Roman soldiers eventually give up. They ask for safe passage out of Britain. Asclepiodotus agrees to let them leave safely.
However, his allies, the Venedoti, attack the Romans. The Venedoti defeat them. Their heads are thrown into the river Gallobroc. After this, Asclepiodotus is officially crowned king. He rules fairly for ten years.
During his rule, Christians faced tough times. This was during the Diocletian Persecution, when Emperor Diocletian was in power. The legend says Saint Alban was martyred at this time. Because of these events, Coel, a duke from Colchester, starts a revolt. Coel kills Asclepiodotus and takes his crown.
