Laelianus

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Laelianus
Usurper within the Gallic Empire

Laelianus on an aureus. The figure on the reverse might be a reference to Hispania
Reign	February / March 268 (against Postumus)
Full name	Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus
Born	Gaul
Died	268

Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus was a usurper against Postumus, the emperor of the Gallic Empire.

1 Origins
2 Rule
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Origins

Little is known about Laelianus. He shares the same nomen as a prominent Spanish noble family, the Ulpii, that included Trajan among its members, and may have been a relative. This is supported by the strong allusion to Hispania on an aureus he struck, which featured the design of Hispania reclining with a rabbit to her side. If he indeed was a relative, this may be the reason Spain allied itself with Claudius II, after the death of Postumus, seemingly without a struggle.

[edit] Rule

Laelianus declared himself emperor at Mainz in February/March 268. Although his exact position is unknown, he is believed to have been a senior officer under Postumus, either the legatus of Germania Superior or the commander of Legio XXII Primigenia. Laelianus represented a strong danger to Postumus because of the two legions he commanded (Primigenia in Mainz and VIII Augusta in Strasbourg); Despite this, his rebellion lasted only about two months before he was executed, reputedly by his own soldiers, or by Postumus troops after a siege of Laelianus' capital. The siege of Mainz was also fatal for Postumus; it is said he was slain when he refused to allow his troops to plunder the city following its capture.

Laelianus is listed among the Thirty Tyrants in the Historia Augusta.