Probus

Probus
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Probus Musei Capitolini MC493.jpg
Bust of Probus
Reign 276 – September/October, 282
Full name Marcus Aurelius Probus (from birth to accession);
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus (as emperor)
Born c. August 19, 232
Birthplace Sirmium
Died September/October, 282 (aged 50)
Place of death Sirmium
Predecessor Florianus
Successor Carus

Marcus Aurelius Probus (c. 19 August 232 – September/October 282), commonly known as Probus, was Roman Emperor from 276 to 282. During his reign, the Rhine and Danube frontier was strengthened after successful wars against several Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Alamanni, Longiones, Franks, Burgundians, and Vandals.

Contents

Life

Aureus of Probus minted in 281.
Antoninianus of Probus minted in 280. Depicts the solar divinity Sol Invictus riding a quadriga. Probus issued many different coins during his six years of rule.

Born in 232 in Sirmium, Pannonia, Probus entered the army around 250 upon reaching adulthood. He distinguished himself under the emperors Valerian, Aurelian and Tacitus. He was appointed governor of the east by Tacitus, whose death in 276 prompted Probus' soldiers to proclaim him emperor.

Florianus, the half-brother of Tacitus, was also proclaimed successor by his soldiers, but was killed after an indecisive campaign. Probus travelled west, defeating the Goths along the lower Danube in 277 - acquiring the title of Gothicus. His position as emperor was ratified by the Senate around this time.

In 278, Probus campaigned successfully in Gaul against the Alamanni and Longiones; both tribes had advanced through the Neckar valley and across the Rhine into Roman territory. Meanwhile, his generals defeated the Franks and of these operations were directed to clearing Gaul of German invaders (Franks, and Burgundians), allowing Probus to adopt the titles of Gothicus Maximus and Germanicus Maximus. One of his principles was never to allow the soldiers to be idle, and to employ them in time of peace on useful works, such as the planting of vineyards in Gaul, Pannonia and other districts, in order to restart the economy in these devastated lands.

In 279–280, Probus was, according to Zosimus, in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals. In the same years, Probus' generals defeated the Blemmyes in Egypt; Probus ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire was centered.

In 280–281, Probus had also put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. The extent of these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that they were not just local problems[1]. In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph.

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, delayed by the revolts in the west. He left Rome in 282, moving first towards Sirmium, his birth city, when the news that Marcus Aurelius Carus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, had been proclaimed emperor reached him. Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but when those troops changed sides and supported Carus, Probus's soldiers then assassinated him (September/October 282).

Notes

  1. ↑ An inscription with the name of Probus erased has been found as far as Spain.[1]

References

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

External links

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Florianus		 Roman Emperor
276–282		 Succeeded by
Carus
Political offices
Preceded by
Marcus Claudius Tacitus ,
Aemilianus		 Consul of the Roman Empire
277–279
with Paulinus,
Virius Lupus,
Nonnius Paternus		 Succeeded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
Gratus
Preceded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
Gratus		 Consul of the Roman Empire
281–282
with Gaius Junius Tiberianus,
Victorinus		 Succeeded by
Carus,
Carinus