Marcus (usurper) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marcus |
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| Usurper of the Western Roman Empire | |||||||||
| Reign | c. July 406 – c. October 406 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Honorius | ||||||||
| Successor | Gratian | ||||||||
| Died | c. October 406 Britannia |
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Marcus was a Roman usurper who was declared emperor in Roman Britain in 406 AD. He was a high-ranking soldier. His time as emperor was very short. He was killed by his own soldiers later that same year.
Marcus: A Brief Roman Emperor
Marcus was a powerful soldier in Roman Britain. In 406 AD, the Roman army in Britain declared him emperor. This likely happened in the summer. He might have been one of the top army commanders. These roles included Comes Britanniarum (Count of the Britons), Comes Litoris Saxonici (Count of the Saxon Shore), or Dux Britanniarum (Duke of the Britains).
Why Did He Become Emperor?
Marcus probably became emperor because of growing attacks from outside the Roman Empire. At this time, the Empire was moving soldiers away from distant areas like Britain. They needed these troops to protect the main parts of the Empire. The army in Britain might have felt unprotected. They may have chosen Marcus to lead them against these threats.
Historians believe the army's rebellion in 406 AD was linked to attacks on Gaul (modern France) and Italy. Tribes like the Vandals and Alans crossed the Rhine River into Roman lands. This event happened on December 31, 406 AD. Some historians think this crossing caused the rebellion. Others believe the rebellion was sparked by barbarians who entered Gaul from Italy. These might have been parts of an army that invaded Italy earlier.
A Short Reign
No matter what caused the rebellion, Marcus's time as emperor was very brief. The army was not happy with his rule. Because of this, his own soldiers soon killed him. This happened around October 406 AD.
After Marcus, the soldiers chose another emperor, Gratian. But Gratian also had a short reign. He was killed by the troops in early 407 AD. Then, Constantine III became the next emperor.
Marcus in Stories
Marcus's story has appeared in later writings. In a book called Historia Regum Britanniae, Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about a character named Gracianus Municeps. This character took the throne of Britain. It's possible that Geoffrey based Gracianus on the real Gratian and Marcus.
Marcus is also one of the three would-be emperors in Alfred Duggan's historical novel The Little Emperors.
