Eastern Mediterranean 276: Tacitus’ Herulian War

Aurelian was suddenly assassinated in September 275 while planning a campaign against Persia. To succeed him, the Senate appointed the aged Marcus Claudius Tacitus, who was immediately faced with a Heruli invasion of Asia Minor. Tacitus defeated the Heruli in 276, but died soon afterwards, after a reign of just six months.

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274 Restitutor Orbis ▲

Following his victory in Gaul, Aurelian returned to Rome, where he was given the honorific Restitutor Orbis (“Restorer of the World”) by the Senate. In a magnificent triumph, Zenobia, Tetricus, a Gothic king, and many captives and wild beasts were advanced before his chariot in a procession that lasted until nightfall. Zenobia was afterwards granted a pension and married to a senator, while Tetricus was awarded governorship of the Italian province of Lucania. in wikipedia

25 Dec 274 Sol Invictus ▲

In late 274, probably on its festival date of 25 December, Aurelian pronounced Sol Invictus one of the official religions of Rome and dedicated a new temple for Sol. The origins of Sol Invictus, the cult of the “Unconquered Sun”, are uncertain, but it may have been a fusion of the eastern cult of Elagabalus with the ancient Latin cult of Sol, created in a bid to bring unity to the empire. Sol Invictus would continue to be favored by Roman emperors for the next 50 years, until Constantine’s adoption of Christianity. in wikipedia

Sep 275 Assassination of Aurelian ▲

In the summer of 275 Aurelian mobilized his army to march against Persia and by September was approaching Byzantium. Here his private secretary Eros—who feared Aurelian’s retribution for some misdeed—forged letters to persuade a number of officers that the emperor wanted them dead. Convinced, the officers ambushed and killed Aurelian on the road at Caenophrurium. in wikipedia

275–276 Tacitus’ Herulian War ▲

In the winter of 275/6 Heruli from the Sea of Azov arrived in Pontus, claiming to have been recruited by the late Aurelian for his Persian war. When the Romans rejected their demands for payment, the Heruli sacked the province, raiding as far as Cilicia. Tacitus, who had traveled to Thrace to execute Aurelian’s assassins, crossed into Asia and defeated the invaders in a campaign that earned him the title Gothicus Maximus. in wikipedia