The Rise of Gallienus in the Third Century

As soon as valerian's claim to power was recognized by the senate in october two 53, he wasted no time inducing them to further elevate his son, gallienus. The main point of rising up gallenus was so that valerian could be sure that the western empire was left in loyal hands while he focused on the eastern front. This division of the empire followed the previous division of marcus aurelius and lucius virus a century before - though this time it was the senior augusti who went east with his junior partner remaining in rome. Valerian then headed to syria to survey the damage wrought by the recent sasonid invasion