Roman Emperor Aurelian: Restorer of the World.

 

Aurelian born near Byzantium (now Istanbul) in AD 214, was a Roman emperor from 270 - 275 AD. By reuniting the empire, which had virtually disintegrated under the pressures of invasions and internal revolts, he earned his self-adopted title restitutor orbis (restorer of the world). Aurelian was an Army officer in AD 260, when the frontiers of the empire suddenly collapsed. 

                        

Aurelian Antioch, AD 270-275, gold, weight 5.9gm

With his compatriot Claudius, Aurelian led the cavalry of the emperor Gallienus (253-268 AD). Upon Gallienus's assassination in 268 AD, Claudius became the emperor. The new ruler quickly suppressed the rebellion of the usurper Aureolus, but after a reign of 18 months, Claudius died. His brother Quintillus, who ruled about three months, died or was killed, and in September 270 AD, Aurelian succeeded as emperor.

                       

Bust of Aurelian, Museo di Santa Giulia, Brescia.

Aurelian quickly started to restore the Roman authority in Europe. First, he turned back the Vandals from Pannonia (present day central Europe. After a series of battles, he expelled the Alemanni and Juthunngi across the Danube. He ordered the construction of a new city wall around Rome, which still stands and bears his name.

                         

The Aurelian Walls, Rome, via Colosseum Rome.

In 271 AD, he sought to recover the eastern provinces which for 10 years had obeyed the rule of the princes of Palmyra. He captured Palmyra, and when Palmyra revolted a second time in 273 AD, Aurelian recaptured and destroyed the city. 

                         

An illustration depicting the Roman soldiers of Aurelian's Army by Nikolay Zubkov.

In 274 AD, he returned west to confront Tetricus, the rival emperor, who controlled Gaul, Spain and Britain. Beset by a German invasion and by internal conspiracies, Tetricus concluded a secret treaty with Aurelian, deserting to him at the battle of Chalons. The leaderless army of the Rhine was swiftly defeated. Thus, the vast empire was again ruled by a central authority. 

                          

Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus with Romans fighting the barbarians, mid 3rd century CE, Museo Nazionale, Rome.

Aurelian was an outstanding general and an uncompromising administrator. He attempted to reform the silver coinage, debased for more than 40 years. Early in 275 AD, while marching to open a campaign against Persia, Aurelian was murdered by a group of officers who had been misled by his secretary into believing themselves marked for execution. The government continued in the name of Aurelian's widow, Ulpia Severina, till the next six months, till the appointment of Marcus Claudius Tacitus to the throne. The empire remained divided until Diocletian's ascension in AD 284. 

Aurelian's most significant achievement is the one he was completely unaware of. He introduced a new deity to the Romans, a solar god, Sol Invictus, the invincible Sun. This paved a way for the oriental cult towards emergence of Christianity as an official religion decades later. The birthday of Aurelian's god is December 25th, the same day celebrated as Christmas today.

                       

Christ as the Sun God, in Tomb of Julii in the Vatican necropolis, 3rd century CE. Rome.

Aurelians Coins.

                       

Aurelian, Antioch, AD 270-275, gold, weight 5.9 gm, Obverse: bust of Aurelian facing right, Reverse: Sol holding whip and raising right hand, walking left between two seated captives. 

                         

Aurelian, AR Denarius, weight 2.9 gm, AD 273, Obverse: Laureate draped bust left, holding spear and shield decorated with Victory between two bound captives, Reverse: Sol, radiate naked except for chlamys over shoulder, walking left holding whip and raising right hand.

                          

   

Aurelian, Milan mint, AD 272, Obverse: draped and cuirassed bust right, Reverse: Emperor standing right, holding vertical spear and globe, receiving Victory from soldier, standing left, holding traverse spear, mintmark T.

                          

   

Aurelian, antononianus, weight 2.9 gm, Obverse: cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right, Reverse: Sol walking left, chlamys flying behind, holding whip and raising right hand, mintmark dot A dot L.

                          

    

Aurelian, antoninianus, Rome, AD 270-275, weight 2.5 gm, Obverse: Cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right, Reverse: Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm branch, captive at foot left, Mintmark B.