Aelianus (rebel)

Aelianus († 286 ) was a usurper in Gaul and Bagaudenführer at the beginning of the reign of Diocletian.

In 285 Emperor Diocletian Carinus had been defeated. The brief power vacuum in the west of the Empire took advantage of disaffected peasants ( Bagaudae ) in Gaul and Spain for an uprising. Amandus, one of their leaders, could be potentially raise emperor and appointed Aelianus co-regent. Diocletian responded to the threat by the Caesar Maximian he sent to Gaul and the rebels with the help of Carausius - let prostrate - shortly afterwards self- proclaimed himself emperor.