PUBLIUS

LICINIUS EGNATIUS

See also:

• PUBLIUS LICINIUS EGNATIUS GALLIENUS

GALLIENUS  , Roman emperor from A.D . 260 to 268, son of the emperor Valerian, was born about 218 . From 253 to 260,he reigned conjointly with his father, during which time he gave proof of military ability and bravery . But when his father was taken prisoner by Shapur I. of Persia, in 26o, Gallienus made no effort to obtain his release, or to with-stand the incursions of the invaders who threatened the empire from all sides . He occupied part of his time in dabbling in literature, science and various trifling arts, but gave himself up chiefly to excess and debauchery . He deprived the senators of their military and provincial commands, which were transferred to equites . During his reign the empire was ravaged by a fearful pestilence; and the chief cities of Greece were sacked by the Goths, who descended on the Greek coast with a fleet of five hundred . His generals rebelled against him in almost every province of the empire, and this period of Roman history came to be called the reign of the Thirty Tyrants . Nevertheless, these usurpers probably saved the empire at the time, by maintaining order and repelling the attacks of the barbarians . Gallienus was killed at Mediolanum by his own soldiers while besieging Aureolus, who was proclaimed emperor by the Illyrian legions . His sons Valerianus and Saloninus predeceased him . Life by Trebellius Pollio in Script .

Hist . Aug . ; on coins see articles in Numism . Zeit . (1908) and Riv. ital. d. num . (1908) .