Eastern Mediterranean 278: Julius Saturninus

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Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 22 Jun 278 (Crisis of the Third Century: Julius Saturninus), showing the following events: Probus Gothicus; Probus’ German Campaign; Julius Saturninus.

After becoming emperor, Probus marched west, where in 277–8 he expelled Germanic invaders from Gaul and mounted his own invasion of Germania. While he was engaged in this war, the usurper Julius Saturninus was proclaimed emperor in Syria and Egypt, but was soon afterwards killed by local troops.

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Main Events

276 Probus Gothicus ▲

In late 276 Probus was victorious in a short campaign against ‘the Goths’. Some modern historians have interpreted this as defeating remnants of the Heruli that had invaded Asia Minor during the reign of Tacitus; others have interpreted it as defeating a renewed Gothic incursion. in wikipedia

277?–278 Probus’ German Campaign ▲

Following his victories in Gaul, Probus crossed the Neckar river into Magna Germania, where he conquered the Longiones and fought the Burgundi and (Silingi?) Vandals. At one point a huge number of Germans blocked his passage across a river, but he outmaneuvered and defeated them by provoking them into prematurely crossing to attack him. Probus advanced possibly as far as the Elbe, but ultimately decided against annexing all Germany to the Roman Empire and instead accepted the submission of nine major tribes, who provided recruits for his army. in wikipedia

278? Julius Saturninus ▲

While Probus was in the west, Julius Saturninus, a Moorish general that he had considered a close friend and made governor of Syria, proclaimed himself emperor and began minting coins to that effect (coins also suggest that Saturninus tried to promote himself as co-emperor for a period beforehand). Saturninus was recognized in Egypt and Palestine, but was killed by local troops in Apamea, Syria, before a disbelieving Probus could respond. in wikipedia

270s 278 Burgundians Egypt Germany Goths Heruli June June 22 Lugii maps Palestine Roman civil wars Roman Empire Silingi Syria Vandals

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