AEMILIAN (Aemilius Aemilianus)

"Aemilianus came from an extremely insignificant family, his reign was even more insignificant, and he was slain in the third month." -the ultimate put-down by Eutropius.

• Aemilianus was born around 207, on the island of Jerba off the coast of southern Tunisia.
• He was was a senator and been a consul.
• He was appointed governor of Upper Moesia by Trebonianus Gallus.
• When the Goths broke their peace agreement with Gallus, they were defeated by Aemilianus, who was then proclaimed emperor by his legions.
• Gallus rushed to meet Aemilianus but were murdered by his own troops at Interamna (modern Terni), 50 miles north of Rome.
• Publius Licinius Valerianus had been entrusted by Gallus with the raising of troops for operations on the Upper Danube, and when he learned of Gallus's murder he had himself proclaimed emperor, and marched on Italy.
• Aemilianus was killed by his own army near Spoleto in October 253, after a reign of only 88 days. The place where he died was known ever afterwards as the Pons Sanguinarius, the Bridge of Blood.