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Aurelian: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Aurelian
Aurelian entered the Roman army in 235, a year that marked the beginning of his ascent from modest circumstances. Most historians agree he was born on the 9th of September, though the exact year remains debated between 214 and 216 based on conflicting ancient sources. The 6th-century chronicler John Malalas claimed he died at age 61, which would place his birth around 214, but this chronicle is often described as unreliable. Comparative research suggests Dacia Ripensis or Moesia Superior as his likely birthplace, regions where many late 3rd-century emperors originated. His father may have been a colonus, a tenant farmer working lands owned by a senator named Aurelius. This family background provided little wealth but perhaps some tradition of military service. Aurelian's rise through the ranks was rapid, eventually leading him to command cavalry units under Emperor Gallienus. By 268, when Gallienus was assassinated during a siege of Mediolanum, Aurelian had already established himself as a capable officer within the imperial entourage.
Military Campaigns Against Barbarians
In early 269, emperor Claudius and Aurelian marched north to meet the Alamanni, defeating them at the Battle of Lake Benacus. This victory came after Germanic tribes had broken through the Rhaetian limes along the upper Danube and begun pillaging northern Italy. Later that year, Aurelian intercepted Goths besieging Thessalonica with his Dalmatian cavalry, killing thousands in minor skirmishes before driving them into Upper Moesia. The ensuing battle proved indecisive, yet Roman losses were heavy enough to halt the Gothic advance temporarily. When winter set in, the Goths retreated into the Haemus Mountains only to find themselves trapped and surrounded by harsh conditions. Aurelian used his cavalry to great effect, breaking the Goths into smaller groups which were easier to handle. By late summer 270, any survivors were stripped of their animals and booty and levied into the army or settled as farmers in frontier regions. These victories earned him the title Gothicus Maximus and demonstrated his ability to manage large-scale invasions during the Crisis of the Third Century.
When was Aurelian born and where did he come from?
Most historians agree that Aurelian was born on the 9th of September, though the exact year remains debated between 214 and 216 based on conflicting ancient sources. Comparative research suggests Dacia Ripensis or Moesia Superior as his likely birthplace, regions where many late 3rd-century emperors originated.
What battles did Aurelian fight against Germanic tribes during his reign?
Aurelian defeated the Alamanni at the Battle of Lake Benacus in early 269 and later won victories at the Battle of Fano and near Pavia to rout them completely. He also intercepted Goths besieging Thessalonica with his Dalmatian cavalry, killing thousands before driving them into Upper Moesia where they were trapped by winter conditions.
How did Aurelian reform Roman currency and what rebellion resulted from these changes?
Aurelian introduced antoniniani containing 5% silver bearing the mark XXI meaning twenty such coins would contain the same silver quantity as an old silver denarius. The rationalis Felicissimus revolted because mint workers had been accustomed to stealing silver, resulting in a battle on the Caelian hill that ended with approximately 7,000 casualties according to some sources.
When did Aurelian dedicate the temple to Sol Invictus and why was it built?
Aurelian completed and dedicated the new temple to Sol Invictus on the 25th of December 274 in the Campus Agrippae in Rome. His intention was to provide all peoples of the empire with a single deity they could believe in without betraying their own gods during his short rule.
Who murdered Aurelian and when did this event occur?
Aurelian was murdered at Caenophrurium in Thrace shortly after October 275 while waiting to cross into Asia Minor. A secretary named Eros told a lie about a minor issue leading him to forge documents listing high officials marked for execution out of fear before the notarius Mucapor and other Praetorian Guard officers killed him.
In 271, the Alamanni moved towards Italia, entering the Po plain and sacking villages before occupying Placentia. Aurelian quickly entered Italia but suffered a defeat in an ambush near Placentia in January 271. He then attacked the Alamanni camping near the Metaurus River, defeating them at the Battle of Fano and forcing them to re-cross the Po river. His final rout of the enemy occurred at Pavia, earning him another Germanicus Maximus title. In 272, Aurelian turned his attention to the lost eastern provinces ruled by Queen Zenobia from Palmyra. Asia Minor was recovered easily, with every city except Byzantium and Tyana surrendering without resistance. A legend claims Aurelian spared Tyana after dreaming of Apollonius of Tyana, who implored mercy for innocent lives. Within six months, his armies stood at the gates of Palmyra, which surrendered when Zenobia tried to flee to the Sassanid Empire. By early 274, Aurelian marched into northern Gaul where Tetricus I led troops southward from Augusta Treverorum to meet him. The armies met at the Battle of Châlons in February or March 274, ending the Gallic Empire's existence.
Economic And Administrative Reforms
Aurelian introduced antoniniani containing 5% silver, bearing the mark XXI meaning twenty such coins would contain the same silver quantity as an old silver denarius. This reform represented a significant improvement over previous currency devaluation but required recalling all old bad coins before introducing new ones. The rationalis Felicissimus, a senior public financial official, revolted against these changes because mint workers had been accustomed to stealing silver and producing inferior quality coins. The rebellion spread through Rome's streets, resulting in a battle on the Caelian hill that ended with approximately 7,000 casualties according to some sources. Many rebels were executed along with supporting senators, and the main mint was temporarily closed. Aurelian also reformed food distribution by changing the system from grain to bread while adding olive oil, salt, and pork to products distributed to the populace. He increased loaf sizes without raising prices, making this measure popular among Romans not receiving free bread through the dole. These economic reforms addressed both inflation and food shortages caused by ongoing wars and rebellions throughout his brief reign.
Religious Policy And Sol Invictus
In 274, Aurelian built a new temple dedicated to Sol Invictus, completing it and dedicating it on the 25th of December of that year in the Campus Agrippae in Rome. Great decorations financed by spoils from the Palmyrene Empire surrounded this center of worship for the Sun god. His intention was to provide all peoples of the empire, whether civilian or soldier, easterner or westerner, with a single deity they could believe in without betraying their own gods. During his short rule, Aurelian appeared with the title deus et dominus natus meaning God and born ruler on some coins, a style later adopted by Diocletian. Christian historians recorded that he organized persecutions against other faiths if given enough time to implement such policies. The principle of one faith, one empire would not become official until centuries later under the Edict of Thessalonica. This religious reform represented an attempt to unify the fractured empire through shared spiritual devotion rather than political coercion alone.
Assassination And Posthumous Legacy
Aurelian never reached Persia as planned because he was murdered while waiting in Thrace to cross into Asia Minor shortly after October 275. A secretary named Eros had told a lie about a minor issue, leading him to forge documents listing high officials marked for execution out of fear. The notarius Mucapor and other Praetorian Guard officers, fearing punishment themselves, murdered him at Caenophrurium in Thrace. Enemies in the Senate briefly succeeded in passing damnatio memoriae against the emperor before this decision reversed itself before year's end. Aurelian was subsequently deified like his predecessor Claudius II, restoring his honor among Roman citizens. Some evidence suggests his wife Ulpia Severina ruled the empire in her own right for some time after his death, though this remains speculative. Coins minted after his death indicate she may have held power during an interregnum between his assassination and Marcus Claudius Tacitus' election. The city of Orléans in France bears his name, originally called Cenabum until Aurelian rebuilt it as Aurelianum or Aureliana Civitas meaning City of Aurelian.