Probus

Infobox Roman emperor
title=Emperor of the Roman Empire
name=Probus
full name =Marcus Aurelius Probus (from birth to accession);
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus (as emperor)


caption =Bust of Probus
reign =276 - September/October, 282
predecessor =Florianus
successor =Carus
date of birth =c. August 19, 232
place of birth =Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)
date of death =September/October, 282
place of death =Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)
place of burial =|

Marcus Aurelius Probus (c. August 19, 232–September/October, 282) was a Roman Emperor (276–282).

A native of Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), in Pannonia, at an early age he entered the army, where he distinguished himself under the Emperors Valerian, Aurelian and Tacitus. He was appointed governor of the East by Tacitus, at whose death he was immediately proclaimed his successor by the soldiers (276).

Florianus, who had claimed to succeed his half-brother Tacitus, was put to death by his own troops after an indecisive campaign. Probus moved to the West, defeated the Goths acquiring the title of "Gothicus" (280), and saw his position ratified by the Senate.

The reign of Probus was mainly spent in successful wars by which he re-established the security of all the frontiers. The most important of these operations were directed to clearing Gaul of German invaders (Franks, Longiones, Alamanni and Burgundians), allowing Probus to adopt the titles of "Gothicus Maximus" and "Germanicus Maximus". 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.

In 279-280, Probus was, according to Zosimus, in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals. In the same years, Probus' generals defeated the Blemmyes in Aegyptus Province; Probus ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire was centered.

In 280-281, Probus had also put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. The extent of these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that they were not just local problems [An inscription with the name of Probus erased has been found as far as Spain [http://www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm#N_17_] ] . In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph.

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, delayed by the revolts in the west. He left Rome in 282, moving first towards Sirmium, his birth city, when the news that Marcus Aurelius Carus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, had been proclaimed emperor reached him. Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but when those troops changed sides and supported Carus, Probus's soldiers then assassinated him (September/October 282).

Notes

References

Primary Sources

* Aurelius Victor, [http://www.roman-emperors.org/epitome.htm Epitome de Caesaribus]
* Eutropius, [http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/eutropius/trans9.html#17 Breviarium ab urbe condita]
* Historia Augusta, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Historia_Augusta/Probus*.html Life of Probus]
* Joannes Zonaras, Compendium of History [http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Post/1049415 extract: Zonaras: Alexander Severus to Diocletian: 222-284]
* Zosimus, [http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/zosimus01_book1.htm Historia Nova]

econdary Sources

* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/probus.htm Mc Mahon, Robin, "Probus (276-282 A.D.) and Rival Claimants (Proculus, Bonosus, and Saturninus) of the 280s", "DIR"]
*1911
* [http://28.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PR/PROBUS_MARCUS_AURELIUS.htm Probus Marcus Aurelius]

External links

* [http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Probus Probus] , article at NumisWiki
* s-ttl | title=Roman Emperor
years=276–282