Gaul Rising

The Crisis of the Third Century
For much of the Third Century, the Roman Empire was in a constant state of civil war.

The Rise of Postamus
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postamus was appointed governor of the Roman border province of Germany Inferior by Emperor Valerian during the 250s. Valerian ruled from 253 to 260 alongside his son, Gallienus. After Valerian died, Gallienus reigned alone. In 258, Gallienus appointed his son, Salonius, a subordinate emperor.

In 260, Valerian was waging a campaign against Persia (which resulted in his capture and execution by the Persians) and Gallienus and his forces to Pannonia to deal with a rebellious general. Postamus, Salonius, and Salonius's mentor, Silvanus, were tasked with defending the Rhine frontier. They were stationed at Colonia Agrippina (Cologne).

Now Postamus and his forces intercepted an army of Juthungi (a Germanic tribe) that was returning home from a battle at Mediolanum (Milan). The Juthingi had lost the battle but nevertheless managed to carry off captives and other booty. Postamus's army defeated the invaders and then divided their loot among themselves. Salonius, at the recommendation of Silvanus, ordered Postamus to hand over the loot to him. Postamus and his troops refused, and Postamus's troops declared him Emperor. Postamus and his army then laid seige to Colonia Agrippina. Salonius and Silvanus eventually surrendered and allowed Postamus and his forces into the city, and were thereafter executed.

Postamus was immediately recognized as Emperor in the Gallic provinces (except for Narbonensis), Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, and the Alpine province of Raetia. Within a year, Britannia and the Spanish provinces also aligned themselves with Postamus. Postamus made Colonia Agrippina the capital of his realm and set up a system of government similar to that of Rome. Rather than seeking control of the rest of the Roman Empire, Postamus focused on defending and bringing stability to the provinces he ruled; and he was indisputably successful at achieving this goal.