Valerian
Valerian was a Roman emperor who came to power in the mid-3rd century CE, following a distinguished career as a senator and consul. Born into an aristocratic family, he initially served under Emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander and later commanded troops in Raetia. After the assassination of Emperor Trebonianus Gallus, Valerian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers and governed alongside his son, Gallienus, who managed the Western territories while Valerian oversaw the East. This arrangement was significant during a time of conflict, as Rome faced threats from both the Sāsānians in the East and Germanic tribes in the West.
Valerian's reign included military campaigns in Asia Minor and the Black Sea, where he successfully defended against invasions. However, his rule took a dark turn when he issued edicts against Christianity, enforcing traditional Roman religious practices. His downfall came in 260 CE when he was defeated and captured by the Persian king Shāpūr I, ultimately dying in captivity. Valerian's reign marked the transition from senatorial emperors to a new era of soldier-emperors, setting the stage for future changes in the Roman imperial structure.
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Valerian
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Roman emperor
Life
Born to an old aristocratic family, Valerian (vah-LIHR-ee-ehn) was a prominent senator who was consul under Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander (r. 222-235 c.e.). In 253 c.e., Valerian commanded an army in Raetia while serving the emperor Trebonianus Gallus. Upon Gallus’s assassination and the death of Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus, Valerian was hailed by his troops as emperor and marched on Rome. Both Valerian and his adult son, Gallienus, received confirmation as co-emperors from the Roman senate. Valerian supervised the Roman East, while his son ruled the West. This arrangement helped Rome’s two-front war against the Sāsānians in the East and the Western Germanic tribes.
In 254 c.e., Valerian successfully campaigned in Asia Minor and in the Black Sea region against incursions of Heruli and Goths. In an attempt to reaffirm traditional Roman religion, the emperor issued a series of edicts against Christianity in 257 and 258 c.e., which forced clergy to perform sacrifices to the state gods and forbade Christians from congregating. Disaster overtook Valerian in 260 c.e. when he was defeated by the Persian king Shāpūr I. During the negotiations, Valerian was taken prisoner and died in captivity.
Influence
Valerian was one of the last senatorial emperors, making way for a new breed of provincial soldier-emperors during the third century c.e. His shared rule with Gallienus paved the way toward further delegation of imperial authority under Diocletian’s tetrarchy.
Bibliography
Potter, D. Prophecy and History in the Crisis of the Roman Empire. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1990.