Eastern Mediterranean 261: Defeat of the Macriani

The most threatening of Gallienus’ usurpers were Macrianus and his sons, who soon gained control of Egypt and invaded the Balkans in 261. However, their attempt to conquer Greece was repelled by another usurper, Valens, in spring and that fall they were decisively defeated by Gallienus’ forces.

About this map

Download map
(download without labels)

Main Events

17 Sep 260 Macrianian Egypt ▲

In mid-September 260 Mussius Aemilianus, the prefect of Egypt, recognized Macrianus Minor and Quietus as the legitimate Roman emperors. This gave the Macriani control over the vital Egyptian grain supply to Rome. in wikipedia

260–265 Amazasp III of Iberia ▲

According to the Historia Augusta, Bactria, Iberia, and Albania defied Shapur I of Persia following his capture of Valerian in 260. Whatever the merits of this claim, Iberia, Albania, and the Bactrian states of Margiana and Chorasmia seem to have fallen increasingly under Shapur’s power by 265. In the case of Iberia, Persian writings claim Iberia was ruled by the high-level Persian vassal Amazasp III from 260–265, in contradiction of Georgian chronicles, which record Mihrdat II ruling from 249–265. Neither source acknowledges the existence of the other king, suggesting that Amazasp may have been a Persian-backed usurper. in wikipedia

261 Macrianian invasion of Europe ▲

In 261 Macrianus Major and his son Macrianus Minor, having secured most of the East, crossed from Asia into Europe in an attempt to overthrow Gallienus. However, when they advanced westward from Thrace towards Illyricum that fall, the pair were decisively defeated by one of Gallienus’ generals (either Aureolus or Domitianus). This sealed their fate, and both father and son were killed by their own soldiers. in wikipedia

261 Valens and Piso ▲

At the beginning of their invasion of Europe in 261, the Macriani despatched the general Piso Frugi to Achaea to deal with the proconsul Valens Thessalonicus. For reasons unknown, Valens proclaimed himself Emperor, then defeated and killed Piso—who allegedly also made himself Emperor—in Thessaly. The victory proved short-lived, and Valens was killed by his own troops soon after. in wikipedia