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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;johnmilton, post: 24561759, member: 101855&quot;]The Gallic Empire was an &quot;empire within an empire&quot; that lasted from 260 to 274. There were four emperors during that time, one of whom lasted for only about three months. </p><p><br /></p><p>When I got into my notebook I found that it goes on for a while. I&#039;ll post the first chapter for Postumus, who ruled from 260 to 269. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1556243[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Antoninianus of Postumus, Obverse: <b>IMP C POSTUMVS P F AVG</b> “Emperor Caesar Postumus Pius Felix (dutiful, patriotic) augustus.” Reverse: <b>FIDES MILITVM</b> “Fides military” Fides was the personification of good faith and confidence. Here she is holding military standards. Sear 10940</p><p><br /></p><p>· Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was the governor of Gaul under Valerian. He became the leader of his portion of the empire when his troops proclaimed him emperor during a barbarian incursion.</p><p><br /></p><p>· Postumus’ competition was the teenaged son of Gallienus, Saloninus, who was stationed a Cologne. Postumus put the settlement under siege. He took over the city and executed the young Caesar and the praetorian prefect, Silvanus.</p><p><br /></p><p>· Gallienus was occupied with the capture of his father by the Persians and other problems in the Balkans. He was unable to respond to the usurper Postumus conquests.</p><p><br /></p><p>· Postumus expanded his rule to include Gaul, Britain and Spain. The resulting “Gallic Empire” was destined to last for 14 years. The Roman central government was too weak to respond this beak-away area because of military catastrophes and failed economic policies that had gone on for decades.</p><p><br /></p><p>· Postumus controlled the barbarian threat from the West, and ultimately Gallienus had to accept the status quo. Gallienus did attempt to overthrow Postumus in 263 and 265, but both of those attempts failed.</p><p><br /></p><p>· In some ways, Postumus’ Gallic Empire was more successful than the Rome Empire. He was able to improve the quality of the coinage. The weight of his gold coins, the aureus, was at least 5.5 grams higher than their Roman counterparts. The principle silver coin, the antoninianus, continued to be a heavily debased coin, but its silver content was double that of its Roman counterparts. Coinage of the copper pieces was also robust.</p><p><br /></p><ul> <li>In 268, Aureolus, one of Gallienus’ most trusted generals, led a rebellion based in Milan. Aureolus invited Postumus to join him in an attack on Italy. He went so far as to even strike coins with Postumus’ name and portrait on them. Postumus declined the offer. Gallienus was killed by his officers during his siege of Milan against Aureolus. Aureolus also died during this siege.</li> </ul><p><br /></p><p>· Both Aureolus and Gallienus would die as a result of the Milan based uprising.</p><p><br /></p><p>· In 269 Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus seized power in Mainz (Moguntiacum). His soldiers declared him as emperor. Laelian maintained his foothold for several months until Postumus laid siege to the town. Postumus quickly put down the rebellion.</p><p><br /></p><p>· Postumus refused to allow his soldiers to pillage the captured city, Mainz. They mutinied and killed him.</p><p><br /></p><p>· The death of Postumus would bring instability to the Gallic Empire.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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