Gallienus, Publius Licinius

Gallienus, Publius Licinius, Roman emperor from 260 to 268 A.D. His father, Valerian, had made him co-regent with himself in 253, but his reign ended when he was taken prisoner by the Persians seven years later. The authority of Gallienus was limited almost entirely to Italy, for throughout the provinces the legions for the most part revolted, and raised their commanders to the dignity of Caesars. Hence the period is known in history as the Time of the Thirty Tyrants. In the East the honour of the Roman arms was maintained by Aurelian, Probus, and others, who found a useful ally in Odenathus, ruler of Palmyra, and his wife Zenobia, to whom Gallienus entrusted the care of the war against the Persians. In the West, however, dangers thickened about him. Aureolus was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Illyricum, and, having marched into Italy, he seized Milan, and proceeded towards Rome. The war between the two was carried on for some time with undecided success, but Gallienus, while besieging his adversary in Mediolanum (Milan), was murdered by some of his officers, 268 A.D. He was succeeded by Claudius II.