List of Roman usurpers

The following is a list of usurpers in the Roman Empire. For an overview of the problem and consequences of usurpation, see Roman usurpers. In the Eastern Roman Empire (395–1453), rebellion and usurpation were so notoriously frequent (in the vision of the medieval West, where usurpation was rare) that the modern term "byzantine" became a byword for political intrigue and conspiracy. For usurpation in the Eastern Roman Empire, see List of Byzantine usurpers.

Key

  • kPG, killed by the Praetorian Guard
  • kS, killed by own soldiers
  • kB, killed in battle
  • e, executed
  • S, suicide
  • dates are beginning and end of reign
  • origin of the rebellion indicated where possible
  • the list is complete until the advent of the tetrarchy in the end of the 3rd century

Usurpers who became legitimate emperors
Further information: List of Roman emperors

The following individuals began as usurpers, but became the legitimate emperor either by establishing uncontested control of the empire or by confirmation of their position by the Roman Senate or by the legitimate emperor.

First Imperial civil war
Main article: Year of the Four Emperors
  • Galba – killed January 15, 69
  • Otho – committed suicide April 16, 69
  • Vitellius – killed December 22, 69
  • Vespasian – secured the throne

Second Imperial civil war
Main article: Year of the Five Emperors

Crisis of the Third Century
Main articles: Year of the Six Emperors and Crisis of the Third Century

Western Empire

The following last emperors of the West were all accepted by the Senate (possibly except for Constans II) but never recognized as colleagues by the Emperor of the East.[1] Three of them (Constantine III, Priscus Attalus and Constans II) reigned alongside the legitimate Emperor of the West Honorius who one of them (Constantine III) recognized as his colleague in 409. Upon his recognition Constantine III, without the approval of Honorius, appointed his son Constans II co-emperor.

Usurpers not considered legitimate emperors

The following individuals proclaimed themselves emperor (or were proclaimed or appointed as emperor), but are not considered as legitimate emperors because they did not oust the ruling emperor, or did not establish control of the whole empire, or were not accepted by the senate or other imperial colleagues.

They are listed here under the emperor whose rule they attempted to usurp. The noted date is the attempted year of usurpation.

Claudius: 41–54

Galba: 68–69

Titus: 79–81

Domitian: 81–96

Marcus Aurelius: 161–180
  • Avidius Cassius (175), in Egypt and Syria, governor of Syria, declared himself emperor upon the rumor that Marcus Aurelius had died, continued his revolt even upon learning Marcus Aurelius was alive.

Septimius Severus: 193–211

Elagabalus: 218–222
  • Gellius Maximus (219), in Syria, executed, originally an officer of Legio IV Scythica
  • Verus (late 219), in Syria, executed, commander of Legio III Gallica
  • Uranius (c. 221), questioned existence and date; sources place him in 253
  • Seleucus (after 221). He could be Julius Antonius Seleucus, in Moesia, or M. Flavius Vitellius Seleucus, consul for 221

Alexander Severus: 222–235
  • Sallustius (c. 227), in Rome, raised to Caesar by Alexander, executed for attempted murder, prefect of the Praetorian Guard
  • Taurinus (S. date unclear), in the East, committed suicide in the Euphrates after being hailed Augustus
  • Ovinius Camillus, alleged usurper mentioned only in the Historia Augusta, now thought to have been fictitious

Maximinus Thrax: 235–238
  • Magnus (235), ordered some soldiers of Maximinus to destroy the bridge that allowed the Emperor to cross back the Rhine, a former consul
  • Quartinus (235), in the East, supported by soldiers loyal to former emperor Alexander Severus

Gordian III: 238–244
  • Sabinianus (240), in Africa, governor of the province

Philip the Arab: 244–249

Decius: 249–251

Gallienus: 253–268
Main article: Gallienus usurpers

Claudius II: 268–270

Aurelian: 270–275
  • Sponsianus in Dacia, contested numismatic evidence only
  • Domitianus (270–271) most probably in Southern Gaul. He was probably encouraged by Aurelian's difficulties in dealing with an Alamannic incursion into Italy that occurred early in his reign. His bid for power could have been suppressed by Aurelian's Praetorian Prefect, Placidianus who was in the Rhone valley at the time or by Tetricus, the Gallic Emperor.
  • Felicissimus (k.271) in Rome, a civil servant involved in corruption
  • Septimius (kS.271) in Dalmatia
  • Urbanus (271), questioned existence
  • Firmus (k.273) in Egypt, questioned existence

Probus: 276–282

Carus, Carinus, Numerian: 282–284

Diocletian: 284–305

Galerius: 305–311

Constantine I: 309–337

Constantius II: 337–361

Valens: 364–378

Valentinian I: 364–375

Theodosius I: 379–395

Honorius: 395–423

Valentinian III: 423–455

Anthemius: 467–472

Unsuccessful regional usurpers after the fall of Rome (476)
  • Julius Nepos (476–480) ruled as emperor in exile in Dalmatia since 475, tried to reclaim imperial throne from the barbarian regime in Italy lead by Odoacer around 479-480, killed by his soldiers in the same year.
  • Burdunellus (e.496), in the Ebro valley
  • Peter (e.506), in the Ebro valley

References
  1. Philip Grierson, Mark A. S. Blackburn (1986). Medieval European Coinage: With a Catalogue of the Coins in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-521-26009-1.
  2. "Avitus". The Imperial Index: The Rulers of the Roman Empire. From Augustus to Constantine XI Palaeologus. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
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