Trebellianus
Encyclopedia
Trebellianus also Trebatius Priscus or Trebatius Testa, was a Roman usurper
listed among the thirty tyrants
in the Historia Augusta. Modern historians consider this figure a character invented by the author of Historia, whose traditional name was Trebonianus Pollius.
According to Historia, Trebellianus was a Cilicia
n robber, who called his castle in the fastnesses of the Isauria
n mountains the Palatium (as the imperial palace on the Palatine
, in Rome
), established a mint, and gave himself the title of emperor
. But having been tempted to quit his stronghold and descend into the plain, he was there encountered and slain by Causisoleus, an Egyptian, one of the generals of Gallienus
(dux Gallieni), brother of Theodotus
who had defeated Mussius Aemilianus
.
Trebellianus is also cited by Eutropius (Breviarium, ix.8). The passage is considered a later interpolation, or an error for "Regalianus
" — and in fact several editions of Eutropius amend the text with Regalianus. In the latter case, it is possible that this passage gave inspiration to the author of Historia for its Trebellianus.
Roman usurper
Usurpers are individuals or groups of individuals who obtain and maintain the power or rights of another by force and without legal authority. Usurpation was endemic during roman imperial era, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.The...
listed among the thirty tyrants
Thirty Tyrants (Roman)
The Thirty Tyrants were a series of thirty rulers that appear in the Historia Augusta as having ostensibly been pretenders to the throne of the Roman Empire during the reign of the emperor Gallienus....
in the Historia Augusta. Modern historians consider this figure a character invented by the author of Historia, whose traditional name was Trebonianus Pollius.
According to Historia, Trebellianus was a Cilicia
Cilicia
In antiquity, Cilicia was the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau. It existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Byzantine empire...
n robber, who called his castle in the fastnesses of the Isauria
Isauria
Isauria , in ancient geography, is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods, but generally covering what is now the district of Bozkır and its surroundings in the Konya province of Turkey, or the core of the Taurus Mountains. In...
n mountains the Palatium (as the imperial palace on the Palatine
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city...
, in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
), established a mint, and gave himself the title of emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
. But having been tempted to quit his stronghold and descend into the plain, he was there encountered and slain by Causisoleus, an Egyptian, one of the generals of Gallienus
Gallienus
Gallienus was Roman Emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and alone from 260 to 268. He took control of the Empire at a time when it was undergoing great crisis...
(dux Gallieni), brother of Theodotus
Theodotus
in workTheodotus is the name of:*Theodotus of Aetolia *Theodotus Hemiolius *Theodotus of Chios *Theodotus of Byzantium *Theodotus *Theodotus of Rome...
who had defeated Mussius Aemilianus
Mussius Aemilianus
Lucius Mussius Aemilianus was a Roman usurper.Mussius Aemilianus probably was of Italian stock. He was an officer in the Roman army under Philip the Arab and Valerian. Under the latter he became praefect of Egypt. He supported the rebellion of the Macriani against Gallienus...
.
Trebellianus is also cited by Eutropius (Breviarium, ix.8). The passage is considered a later interpolation, or an error for "Regalianus
Regalianus
P. C Regalianus was a Dacian general who turned against the Roman Empire and became himself emperor for a brief period, being murdered by the hands who raised him to power.-Career:...
" — and in fact several editions of Eutropius amend the text with Regalianus. In the latter case, it is possible that this passage gave inspiration to the author of Historia for its Trebellianus.