- Marcus Aurelius Probus
-
Probus 47th Emperor of the Roman Empire 
Bust of ProbusReign 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
- Aurelius Victor, Epitome de Caesaribus
- Eutropius, Breviarium ab urbe condita
- Historia Augusta, Life of Probus
- Joannes Zonaras, Compendium of History extract: Zonaras: Alexander Severus to Diocletian: 222–284
- Zosimus, Historia Nova
Secondary Sources
- Mc Mahon, Robin, "Probus (276–282 A.D.) and Rival Claimants (Proculus, Bonosus, and Saturninus) of the 280s", DIR
- Dennis, Anthony J., "Antoniniani of the Roman Emperor Probus", Vol. 9, No. 11 The Celator November, 1995.
- Jones, A.H.M., Martindale, J.R. The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Vol. I: AD260-395, Cambridge University Press, 1971
- Southern, Pat. The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine, Routledge, 2001
- Canduci, Alexander (2010), Triumph & Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Immortal Emperors, Pier 9, ISBN 978-1741965988
- Gibbon. Edward Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire (1888)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.- Probus Marcus Aurelius
References
- ^ Victor, 37:1
- ^ In Classical Latin, Probus' name would be inscribed as MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVS AVGVSTVS.
- ^ Jones, pg. 736
- ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
- ^ Canduci, pg. 101
- ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 6-7
- ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:1
- ^ Zosimus, 1:32
- ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
- ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:9
- ^ Southern, pg. 129
- ^ McMahon www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm
- ^ Canduci, pg. 103
- ^ Gibbon, Ch. 12
- ^ Zosimus, 1:32
- ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 9:3-4
- ^ Victor, 37:2
- ^ An inscription with the name of Probus erased has been found as far as Spain.[1]
- ^ Canduci, pg. 103
- ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 20:1
- ^ Zonaras, 12:29
- ^ Victor, 37:4
External links
- Probus, article at NumisWiki
"Marcus Aurelius Probus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.
Regnal titles Preceded by
FlorianusRoman Emperor
276–282Succeeded by
CarusPolitical offices Preceded by
Marcus Claudius Tacitus ,
AemilianusConsul of the Roman Empire
277–279
with Paulinus,
Virius Lupus,
Nonnius PaternusSucceeded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
GratusPreceded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
GratusConsul of the Roman Empire
281–282
with Gaius Junius Tiberianus,
VictorinusSucceeded by
Carus,
CarinusCategories:- 232 births
- 282 deaths
- 282 crimes
- 3rd-century Roman emperors
- Imperial Roman consuls
- Crisis of the Third Century
- Roman emperors murdered by the Praetorian Guard
- Deified Roman emperors
- Gothicus Maximus
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