Claudius II
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Bust of Emperor Claudius II.
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| 42nd Emperor of the Roman Empire | |||||
| Reign | September 268 – January 270 | ||||
| Predecessor | Gallienus | ||||
| Successor | Quintillus | ||||
| Born |
May 10, 210 Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior (present-day Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) |
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| Died | January 270 (aged 60) Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior (present-day Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) |
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| Full name | |
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| Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius (from birth to accession); Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius Augustus (as emperor); Caesar Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius Pius Felix Invictus Augustus Pontifex Maximus Germanicus Maximus Gothicus Maximus (full titles) |
Claudius II (Latin: Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius Augustus; May 10, 210 – January 270), commonly known as Claudius Gothicus, was Roman emperor from 268 to 270. During his reign he fought successfully against the Alemanni and scored a victory against the Goths at the Battle of Naissus. He died after succumbing to the Plague of Cyprian that ravaged the provinces of the Empire.
Claudius' origin is Illyrian. Born on May 10, 210, he was either from Sirmium in Pannonia Inferior or from Naissus Dardania (in Moesia Superior).
Claudius had served with the Roman army for all his adult life, making his way up the military hierarchy until Emperor Gallienus made him the commander of his elite cavalry force (hipparchos) and subsequently his military deputy. In September 268, he found himself assigned as a military tribune with the Imperial Army besieging the usurper Aureolus in Milan. His troops then proclaimed him Emperor amid charges, never proven, that he murdered his predecessor Gallienus. However, he soon proved to be less than bloodthirsty, as he asked the Roman Senate to spare the lives of Gallienus' family and supporters. He was less magnanimous toward Rome's enemies, however, and it was to this that he owed his popularity.
It is possible Claudius gained his position and the respect of the soldiers by being physically strong and especially cruel. A legend tells of Claudius knocking out a horse's teeth with one punch. When Claudius performed as a wrestler in the 250s, he supposedly knocked out the teeth of his opponent when his genitalia had been grabbed in the match.
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