Julius Saturninus
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This article is about the Roman usurper against Emperor Probus. For the usurper against Emperor Gallienus who is mentioned only in the Historia Augusta, see Saturninus (253-268).
| Julius Saturninus | |
|---|---|
| Reign | 280 |
| Born | Gaul or Africa |
| Died | 280 |
| Place of death | Palestine |
Sextus (possibly Gaius) Julius Saturninus (died 280) was a Roman usurper against Emperor Probus.[1]
Julius Saturninus was a Gaul by birth (others have him as a Moor) and was a friend of Emperor Probus. He was appointed governor of Syria by Probus (c. 279).
After Probus had left Syria for the Rhine in 280, unruly soldiers and the people of Alexandria forced a reluctant Saturninus to accept imperial office. He fled from Alexandria to escape the pressure but changed his mind in Palestine. He proclaimed himself emperor in 280. Before Probus could respond to the threat, Saturninus was dead, killed by his own troops.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Vagi, p. 375
[edit] References
- Adkins, Lesley; Roy A. Adkins (2004). "Saturninus, Sextus Julius". Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome (Updated ed.). New York: Facts On File, Inc. ISBN 0816050260.
- Vagi, David A. (2001). Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 1579583164.
