Marcus Aurelius Probus

Marcus Aurelius Probus
Probus
47th Emperor of the Roman Empire

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, Pannonia Inferior
Died September/October, 282 (aged 50)
Place of death Sirmium
Predecessor Florianus
Successor Carus
Father Dalmatius[1]

Probus (Latin: Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus;[2][3] c. 19 August 232 – September/October 282), 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. However, the Agri Decumates and much of the Limes Germanicus in Germania Superior were officially abandoned during his reign, the Romans withdrawing to the Rhine and Danube rivers.

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 (modern day Sremska Mitrovica), Pannonia Inferior,[4] Probus entered the army around 250 upon reaching adulthood. Appointed as a military tribune by the emperor Valerian,[5] he later distinguished himself under the emperors Aurelian and Tacitus.[6] He was appointed governor of the East by Tacitus, whose death in 276 prompted Probus' soldiers to proclaim him emperor.[7]

Florianus, the half-brother of Tacitus, was also proclaimed successor by his soldiers, but was killed after an indecisive campaign.[8] Probus travelled west, defeating the Goths along the lower Danube in 277, and acquiring the title of Gothicus.[9] His position as emperor was ratified by the Senate around this time.[10]

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.[11] Meanwhile, his generals defeated the Franks and these operations were directed to clearing Gaul of Germanic invaders (Franks, and Burgundians), allowing Probus to adopt the titles of Gothicus Maximus and Germanicus Maximus.[12] 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.[13] Of a greater and more lasting significance, Probus began the strategy of settling the Germanic tribes in the devastated provinces of the empire.[14]

In 279–280, Probus was, according to Zosimus, in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals.[15] In the same years, Probus' generals defeated the Blemmyes in Egypt; Probus then ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire was centered.[16]

In 280–281, Probus had also put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus.[17] The extent of these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that they were not just local problems.[18] In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph.[19]

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, delayed by the revolts in the west.[20] He left Rome in 282, travelling first towards Sirmium, his birth city, when the news that Marcus Aurelius Carus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, had been proclaimed emperor reached him.[21] Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but when those troops changed sides and supported Carus, Probus's remaining soldiers then assassinated him at Sirmium (September/October 282).[22]

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

References

  1. ^ Victor, 37:1
  2. ^ In Classical Latin, Probus' name would be inscribed as MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVS AVGVSTVS.
  3. ^ Jones, pg. 736
  4. ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
  5. ^ Canduci, pg. 101
  6. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 6-7
  7. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:1
  8. ^ Zosimus, 1:32
  9. ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
  10. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:9
  11. ^ Southern, pg. 129
  12. ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
  13. ^ Canduci, pg. 103
  14. ^ Gibbon, Ch. 12
  15. ^ Zosimus, 1:32
  16. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 9:3-4
  17. ^ Victor, 37:2
  18. ^ An inscription with the name of Probus erased has been found as far as Spain.[1]
  19. ^ Canduci, pg. 103
  20. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 20:1
  21. ^ Zonaras, 12:29
  22. ^ Victor, 37:4

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

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  • Marcus Annius Florianus — († September 276 bei Tarsus) war ein römischer Kaiser. Leben Antoninian, auf dem Florianus von Herkules gekrönt wird Aufgrund der dürftigen Quellenlage ist über Florianus wenig Sicheres bekannt. Er wurde von …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Probus (Kaiser) — Antoninian des Probus Marcus Aurelius Probus (* 19. August 232 in Sirmium, Unterpannonien[1] (nahe dem heutigen Sremska Mitrovica); † 282 ebenda) war römischer Kaiser von 276 bis 282 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Probus — ▪ Roman emperor Latin in full  Marcus Aurelius Probus  born AD 232, Sirmium, Pannonia [now Sremska Mitrovica, Vojvodina, Serb.] died 282, Sirmium       Roman emperor from AD 276 to 282.       The son of a Balkan military officer, Probus served… …   Universalium

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