Associate Professor Caillan Davenport discusses Aurelian's conquest of the Gallic Empire, Tetricus' surrender, reintegration after the reunification, Aurelian's portrayal as a Roman Empire restorer, and the challenges of meeting propaganda and uncertain future achievements.
The Gallic Empire, which encompassed Gaul and Britain, minted its own coins and saw itself as separate from Rome.
Aurelian's defeat of the Gallic Empire led to changes in military command and the recognition of Gaul as an important region for stability.
Deep dives
The Gallic Empire's Independence
The Gallic Empire, which emerged in 260, encompassed Gaul, Britain, and Spain. While Spain eventually rejoined the Central Empire, Gaul and Britain remained under the control of the Gallic Empire. They viewed themselves as their own empire and minted their own coins with imperial representations. Although they saw themselves as separate, they still wanted to be Roman in their own way.
Tetricus and the Gallic Empire
Tetricus became the emperor of the Gallic Empire after being chosen by Victorinus' mother, Victoria. By 274, Tetricus still held control over Gaul and Britain, seeing a future for the Gallic Empire. There were accounts suggesting that Tetricus betrayed his army and surrendered to Aurelian before the battle at the Catalanian Fields. However, the exact events leading to Tetricus' surrender remain uncertain.
Aurelian's Triumph and Reintegration
After defeating Tetricus and the Gallic Empire in 274, Aurelian celebrated a joint triumph over Palmyra and the Gauls. Tetricus, presented as a foreigner, was pardoned and given the position of governor of Lucania in southern Italy. The reintegration process after the defeat of the Gallic Empire involved changes in military command and a recognition of the importance of having an emperor based in Gaul to maintain stability in the region. Aurelian's propaganda emphasized his role as a restorer, with coins and inscriptions praising him as the restorer of the world and the pacifier of the empire.
Aurelian is known as a conqueror, a general and a restorer, and his reputation is based on those achievements. But in his short rule of five years, he was also an Emperor, and made efforts to leave his mark on Rome.
Part IV of 'Aurelian'
Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).
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