Laelianus

Infobox Roman emperor
name =Laelianus
full name =Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus
title =Usurper within the Gallic Empire


caption =Laelianus on an aureus. The figure on the reverse might be a reference to Hispania
reign =February / March 268 (against Postumus)
predecessor =
successor =
spouse 1 =
spouse 2 =
issue =
dynasty =
father =
mother =
date of birth =Gaul
place of birth =
date of death =268
place of death =
place of burial =|

Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus was a usurper against Postumus, the emperor of the Gallic Empire.

Origins

Little is known about Laelianus. He shares the same nomen as a prominent Spanish noble family, the Ulpii, that included Trajan among its members, and may have been a relative. This is supported by the strong allusion to Hispania on an , after the death of Postumus, seemingly without a struggle.

Rule

Laelianus declared himself emperor at Mainz in February/March 268. Although his exact position is unknown, he is believed to have been a senior officer under Postumus, either the "legatus" of Germania Superior or the commander of Legio XXII "Primigenia". Laelianus represented a strong danger to Postumus because of the two legions he commanded ("Primigenia" in Mainz and VIII "Augusta" in Strasbourg); Despite this, his rebellion lasted only about two months before he was executed, reputedly by his own soldiers, or by Postumus troops after a siege of Laelianus' capital. The siege of Mainz was also fatal for Postumus; it is said he was slain when he refused to allow his troops to plunder the city following its capture.

Laelianus is listed among the Thirty Tyrants in the Historia Augusta.

References

* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/laelianu.htm Polfer, Michel, "Laelianus", "De Imperatoribus Romanis"]

External links