Taurinus
Taurinus was a Roman usurper who revolted against Emperor Severus Alexander in 232 AD. Declared emperor by legions in Roman Mesopotamia during a Sassanid invasion, his rebellion was quickly suppressed. He is remembered for his brief revolt and his death by drowning in the Euphrates while fleeing.
- Century
- 3rd century
- Country Or Region
- Roman Mesopotamia
Key Facts
- ›Taurinus was a Roman usurper who revolted in 232 AD.
- ›He was proclaimed emperor by legions in Roman Mesopotamia.
- ›His rebellion was a response to the Sassanid invasion of 229 AD.
- ›Emperor Severus Alexander crushed the revolt in late summer of 232 AD.
- ›Taurinus drowned in the Euphrates while attempting to flee to Sassanid territory.
- ›He never controlled a mint, leaving no numismatic evidence of his revolt.
About Taurinus
Taurinus, also referred to as Taurinius, was a Roman usurper who briefly challenged the authority of Emperor Severus Alexander in 232 AD. His rise to power was tied to the military unrest in Roman Mesopotamia during a period of conflict with the Sassanids.
Life and Historical Context
In 229 AD, the Sassanid Empire invaded Roman Mesopotamia, creating a volatile situation that would eventually lead to Taurinus's rebellion. By 232 AD, the provincial garrison in Mesopotamia revolted, a move that resulted in the death of Flavius Heracleo and the proclamation of Taurinus as emperor by the legions. This period of instability was met with a swift response from Emperor Severus Alexander.
Downfall
Severus Alexander personally led the campaign to crush the revolt. In the late summer of 232 AD, Taurinus's rebellion was suppressed. While attempting to flee the Roman forces and cross into Sassanid territory, Taurinus drowned in the Euphrates River, marking a definitive end to his short-lived imperial claim.
Historical Sources
The primary ancient sources that mention Taurinus are the Epitome de Caesaribus, which refers to him as Taurinius and states he declared himself augustus and threw himself into the Euphrates out of fear, and the work of Zonaras, who calls him Taurinus. Notably, Taurinus is absent from other significant historical accounts of the period, such as Aurelius Victor's De Caesaribus and Eutropius's Breviarium historiae Romanae. There is no numismatic evidence, such as coins, to corroborate his revolt, as he never controlled a mint.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Taurinus?
Taurinus was a Roman usurper who revolted against Emperor Severus Alexander in 232 AD. He was proclaimed emperor by the legions stationed in Roman Mesopotamia.
What caused Taurinus's revolt?
The revolt was triggered by the Sassanid invasion of Roman Mesopotamia in 229 AD. The provincial garrison rebelled in 232 AD, leading to Taurinus being declared emperor.
How did Taurinus's revolt end?
Emperor Severus Alexander swiftly crushed the revolt in late summer of 232 AD. Taurinus fled and drowned in the Euphrates River while attempting to escape into Sassanid territory.
Is there any physical evidence of Taurinus's reign?
No numismatic evidence of Taurinus's revolt remains because he never controlled a mint. His existence and revolt are known through historical texts.
Where is Taurinus mentioned in historical sources?
Taurinus is mentioned in the Epitome de Caesaribus as Taurinius and by Zonaras as Taurinus. However, he is notably absent from other major historical accounts like Aurelius Victor's De Caesaribus and Eutropius's Breviarium historiae Romanae.
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