Carausian revolt
The Carausian revolt (AD 286–296) was an episode in Roman history during which a Roman naval commander, Carausius, declared himself emperor over Britain and northern Gaul. His Gallic territories were retaken by the western Caesar Constantius Chlorus in 293, after which Carausius was assassinated by his subordinate Allectus. Britain was regained by Constantius and his subordinate Asclepiodotus in 296.
Revolt
Carausius, a
A panegyric delivered to Maximian in AD 288 or 289 refers to the emperor preparing an invasion to oust Carausius.[3][4] A later panegyric to Constantius Chlorus says that this invasion failed due to bad weather, although Carausius claimed it as a military victory,[5] and Eutropius says that hostilities were in vain thanks to Carausius's military skill, and peace was agreed.[6]
Britannic Empire
Having warded off a threat to his power, Carausius began to entertain visions of legitimacy and official recognition. He minted his own coins and brought their value into line with Roman issues as well as acknowledging and honouring Maximian and then
Recovery of the Roman Empire
In 293 Constantius Chlorus, now the western Caesar, isolated Carausius by retaking the territory he held in Gaul. Constantius next besieged the port of Bononia, building a mole across the harbour mouth to prevent the rebels from escaping by sea and ensure they could not receive maritime aid, and invaded Batavia in the Rhine delta, securing his rear against Carausius's Frankish allies. However, it was impossible to mount an invasion of Britain until a suitable fleet could be built.[8] Carausius, who had been in power for seven years, was assassinated by his subordinate Allectus, who assumed command.[9]
Three years later, in 296, the reconquest of Britain began. With Maximian holding the Rhine frontier, Constantius divided his fleet into several divisions. He led one division himself from Bononia; another, sailing from
Medieval British legend
Carausius, Allectus, Asclepiodotus and Constantius appear in
References
- Orosius, Seven Books of History Against the Pagans 7:25.2-4
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:12
- ^ C. E. V. Nixon & Barbara Saylor Rodgers (ed & trans), In Praise of Later Roman Emperors: The Panegyrici Latini, University of California Press, 1994, pp. 42-43
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 10:12.1
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:12.2
- ^ Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History 22
- ^ Frere, Britannia, p. 327-328
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 6:5, 8.6-8
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:12; Aurelius Victor, Book of Caesars 39.40; Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History 22; Orosius, Seven Books of History Against the Pagans 7:25.6
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:13-14; Aurelius Victor, Book of Caesars 39.42; Eutropius, Abridgement of Roman History 22; Orosius, Seven Books of History Against the Pagans 7:25.6
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:14-16
- ^ Frere, Britannia p. 331
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:17
- ^ Panegyrici Latini 8:19
- ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Britanniae 5.3-6
Further reading
- Casey, P. J. (1994). Carausius and Allectus: The British Usurpers (Repr. ed.). Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780203974353.
- Clayson, Alan (30 July 2010). "Ahead of his time: Carausius was a pirate, a rebel and the first ruler of a unified Britain". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- Vagi, David (25 November 2011). "Coins document revolt of Carausius". Coin World. Retrieved 10 July 2014.[permanent dead link]