Marcus Aurelius Probus

Probus

Bust of Probus
47th Emperor of the Roman Empire
Reign 276 – September/October 282
Predecessor Florianus
Successor Carus
Born c. 19 August 232
Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior
Died September/October 282 (aged 50)
Sirmium
Full name
Marcus Aurelius Probus (from birth to accession);
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus (as emperor)
Father Dalmatius[1]

Probus (/ˈproʊbəs/; Latin: Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus;[2][3] c. 19 August 232 – September/October 282), was Roman Emperor from 276 to 282.

During his reign, the Rhine and Danube frontier was strengthened after successful wars against several Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Alamanni, Longiones, Franks, Burgundians, and Vandals. The Agri Decumates and much of the Limes Germanicus in Germania Superior were officially abandoned during his reign, with the Romans withdrawing to the Rhine and Danube rivers.

Early life

Born in 232 in Sirmium (modern day Sremska Mitrovica), Pannonia Inferior,[4] the son of Dalmatius.[1]

Military career

Probus entered the army around 250 upon reaching adulthood. Appointed as a military tribune by the emperor Valerian,[5] he later distinguished himself under the emperors Aurelian and Tacitus.[6] He was appointed governor of the East by Tacitus, whose death in 276 prompted Probus' soldiers to proclaim him emperor.[7]

Florianus, the half-brother of Tacitus, was also proclaimed successor by his soldiers, but he was killed after an indecisive campaign.[8] Probus travelled west, defeating the Goths along the lower Danube in 277, and acquiring the title of Gothicus.[4] His position as emperor was ratified by the Senate around this time.[9]

As emperor

Antoninianus of Probus minted in 280. Depicts the solar divinity Sol Invictus riding a quadriga. Probus issued many different coins during his six years of rule.
Sculpted head of Probus from Brescia in northern Italy.

In 278, Probus campaigned successfully in Gaul against the Alamanni and Longiones; both tribes had advanced through the Neckar valley and across the Rhine into Roman territory.[10] Meanwhile, his generals defeated the Franks and these operations were directed to clearing Gaul of Germanic invaders (Franks and Burgundians), allowing Probus to adopt the titles of Gothicus Maximus and Germanicus Maximus.[4]

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.[11] Of a greater and more lasting significance, Probus began the strategy of settling the Germanic tribes in the devastated provinces of the empire.[12]

In 279–280, Probus was, according to Zosimus, in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals.[8] In the same years, Probus' generals defeated the Blemmyes in Egypt. Probus then ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire was centered.[13]

In 280–281, Probus put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus.[14] 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).[15] In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph.[11]

Radiate of Probus

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, delayed by the revolts in the west.[16] He left Rome in 282, travelling first towards Sirmium, his birth city.

Assassination

Different accounts of Probus's death exist. According to Joannes Zonaras, the commander of the Praetorian Guard Marcus Aurelius Carus had been proclaimed, more or less unwillingly, emperor by his troops.[17]

Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but when those troops changed sides and supported Carus, Probus' remaining soldiers assassinated him at Sirmium (September/October 282).[18] According to other sources, however, Probus was killed by disgruntled soldiers, who rebelled against his orders to be employed for civic purposes, like draining marshes.[19] Carus was proclaimed emperor after Probus' death and avenged the murder of his predecessor.[20]

References

  1. 1 2 Victor, 37:1
  2. ↑ In Classical Latin, Probus' name would be inscribed as MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVS AVGVSTVS.
  3. ↑ Jones, pg. 736
  4. 1 2 3 "Roman Emperors - DIR probus". roman-emperors.org.
  5. ↑ Canduci, pg. 101
  6. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 6–7
  7. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:1
  8. 1 2 Zosimus, 1:32
  9. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:9
  10. ↑ Southern, pg. 129
  11. 1 2 Canduci, pg. 103
  12. ↑ Gibbon, Ch. 12
  13. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 9:3–4
  14. ↑ Victor, 37:2
  15. ↑ "Roman Emperors - DIR probus". roman-emperors.org.
  16. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 20:1
  17. ↑ Zonaras, 12:29
  18. ↑ Victor, 37:4
  19. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 20:2-3
  20. ↑ Historia Augusta, Vita Cari, 6:1

Sources

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Probus.
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Florianus		 Roman Emperor
276–282 		Succeeded by
Carus
Political offices
Preceded by
Marcus Claudius Tacitus ,
Aemilianus		 Consul of the Roman Empire
277–279
with Paulinus,
Virius Lupus,
Nonnius Paternus 		Succeeded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
Gratus
Preceded by
Lucius Valerius Messalla,
Gratus		 Consul of the Roman Empire
281–282
with Junius Tiberianus,
Victorinus 		Succeeded by
Carus,
Carinus


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