- For other uses, see Probus (disambiguation).
Marcus Aurelius Probus (c. 232–September/October, 282) was a Roman Emperor (276–282).
| Probus | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor of the Roman Empire | |||||
| File:Probus-cap.JPG Bust of Probus | |||||
| Reign | 276 - September/October, 282 | ||||
| Predecessor | Florianus | ||||
| Successor | Carus | ||||
| |||||
A native of Sirmium, 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 local problems[1]. In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph.
Probus was eager to start the 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. Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but when these troops changed side and supported Carus, Probus's soldiers killed him (September/October 282).
Notes
References
- Mc Mahon, Robin, "Probus (276-282 A.D.) and Rival Claimants (Proculus, Bonosus, and Saturninus) of the 280s", DIR
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public ___domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - http://28.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PR/PROBUS_MARCUS_AURELIUS.htm
External links
- Coinage of Probus
- Probus, article at NumisWiki