Sabinus Iulianus

Julian of Pannonia (full name probably Marcus Aurelius Sabinus Julianus ) was one of numerous usurpers in the time of the Roman Empire crisis of the 3rd century. The exact name of the usurper, the place and the time, both his elevation and his defeat are controversial in research. What is certain is that his elevation to the reign of the Emperor Carinus ( 283-285 ) falls.

Among the written sources

In addition to coins are only three ancient sources, which contradict each part: the Liber de Caesaribus of Aurelius Victor, the Epitome de Caesaribus and the Historia Nea of Zosimus.

Your information can be briefly summarized as follows.

Aurelius Victor was, according to Julian corrector Venetiae ( et Histriae ), that have been governor of Venetia and Istria, usurped after the death of Carus (summer 283 ), have Pannonia controlled and should be dropped at the beginning of the year 285 in Illyricum.

The Epitome de Caesaribus and Zosimus report, however, Julian was praetorian prefect, have risen after the death of Numerian (autumn 284) in Italy and had been beaten there later. The Epitome calls beyond the site of the battle, namely Verona.

The coins

The gold and Billonmünzen ( Aurei or Antoniniane ) of the Julian give us information in a variety of ways. They represent the only surviving portraits of the usurper and refer also to its power base. Because according to the back Münzstättensignatur they were all in Siscia, the capital of the province of Pannonia Superior, embossed. In addition, show some Antoniniane as lapel representation, the personifications of the two Pannonian provinces, surrounded by the legend Pannoniae AVG ( usti ).

Name and titulary

The name given is to determine the following: The Epitome de Caesaribus and the Historia Nea speak of a Sabinus Julianus, the coins of the usurper call him Marcus Aurelius Julianus. This Sabinus Julianus will have been his birth name; after his Kaiser survey he will have the prestigious name of Marcus Aurelius, as other Kaiser given before and after him. A contradiction in this case does not have to occur. Name and titulary can complement follows:

IMP ( erator ) C ( Aesar ) M ( arcus ) AVR ( Elius ) [ SABINVS ] IVLIANVS P (ius ) F ( elix ) AVG ( ustus ).

The historical sequence

After Carinus ( 283-285 ) in late summer / autumn of 284 learned of the death of his brother Numerian ( 283-284 ), he left Siscia towards Rome. This took advantage of the then- corrector Venetiae ( et Histriae ) Julian and marched into Pannonia, which he was able to secure Siscia as a power base and mint. Probably at the beginning of the following year moved from Carinus from Rome to defeat Julian. This was after the first battle, either in Verona or in Pannonia.