MACRIANUS (Fulvius Junius Macrianus)

• Macrianus the Elder, father of Quietus and Macrianus, was Emperor 's quartermaster general to Valerian I during the latter's eastern wars.
• After Valerian's capture by Shapur I of Persia in 260, Macrianus and another officer called Callistus, nicknamed "Ballista", organized what was left of the Roman army and struck back at the Persians.
• Sailing down the coast of Cilicia, they disembarked and attacked the Persians, capturing the Persian army's baggage train and King Shapur's harem.
• The delighted army decided to elevate the two generals to the throne, but instead, Macrianus and Ballista had Macrianus' two sons, Macrianus the Younger and Quietus made co-emperors.
• In the Spring of 261, Macrianus the Elder and Macrianus the Younger led a large Roman army to depose Gallienus, Valerian's son and rightful heir, but were defeated in battle near Pannonia, and killed by Aureolus, general of Gallienus.
• Quietus ruled in the East until he was attacked by Odenathus, King of Palmyra, when he fled to the city of Emesa in Syria.
• The citizens of Emesa murdered Quietus and surrendered to the Roman troops under Odenathus in 261 after a short siege.