Probus

Probus, MARCUS AURELIUS, emperor of Rome, was born at Sirmium, in Pannonia, early entered the army, and had the good fortune to attract the favourable notice of the Emperor Valerian. His subsequent conduct justified his rapid promotion, for he greatly distinguished himself on the Danube, and in Africa, Egypt, Asia, Germany, and Gaul. By the Emperor Tacitus he was appointed governor of the Asiatic possessions of Rome; and such was the zealous attachment evinced for him by his soldiers that on the death of Tacitus they forced him to assume the purple; and, his rival Florianus having been removed, Probus was enthusiastically hailed emperor by all classes (276 A.D.). His brief reign was signalised by brilliant and important successes; the Germans were driven out of Gaul, and the Barbarians from the Rhætian, Pannonian, and Thracian frontiers; and Persia was forced to agree to a humiliating peace. The external security of the empire being established, Probus devoted himself to the development of its internal resources. But fearing that the discipline of the army would be deteriorated by inactivity, he employed the soldiers as labourers in executing various extensive and important works of public utility. Such occupations, considered as degrading by the soldiers, excited among them the utmost irritation and discontent; and a large body of troops engaged in draining the swamps about Sirmium murdered their excellent emperor in 282.