The New Student's Reference Work/Aurelian, Lucius Domitius Aurelianus

Aure′lian, Lucius Domitius Aurelianus, emperor of Rome, was born in Pannonia early in the 3d century. He came from the lowest classes, but so distinguished himself in the Roman legion which he entered, that he was rapidly promoted. In the campaigns against the Goths by Valerian and by Claudius II, he became very popular with the soldiers, and when Claudius died he was proclaimed emperor in 270 by the army of the Danube, which he then commanded. Having driven the Goths beyond the Danube and defeated many German tribes, he built a long wall to protect Rome against them. One of his best-known expeditions was against Palmyra, a city ruled by the famous Queen Zenobia. He captured the city and treated the people with unexpected kindness, and refused to put Zenobia to death. After his departure, the Roman garrison which he left to guard the city was murdered by the citizens. Upon hearing of this, Aurelian returned, destroyed the city and put the inhabitants to death. Zenobia herself was carried to Rome. Aurelian then defeated an uprising of the Egyptians, and once more obtained for Rome the complete control over Gaul. He also made many improvements in the condition of the people and in the city of Rome, as well as in the discipline of the army, and was given the title of Restorer of the Empire by the senate. While on his way to attack the Persians, he was assassinated near Byzantium in 275 A. D.