Carausius
Ca-rau'si-us, (Marcus Aurei.ius Valerius,) an
adventurer, born at Menapia, in Belgium, about 250 A. D.
Having been promoted to the command of a Roman
fleet, he made himself master of Great Britain and assumed
the title of emperor. After vain efforts to conquer
him, Diocletian recognized him by treaty. He was
assassinated in 293 A.D.
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Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius (died 293) was a military commander of the Roman Empire in the
3rd century. He was a Menapian from Belgic Gaul, who usurped power in 286, declaring himself emperor in
Britain and northern Gaul. He did this only 13 years after the Gallic Empire of the Batavian Postumus was
ended in 273. He held power for seven years, before being assassinated by his finance minister Allectus
(see Carausian Revolt). Carausius was a man of humble origin, a Menapian who distinguished himself during
Maximian's campaign against the Bagaudae rebels in northern Gaul in 286. This success, and his former
occupation as a pilot, led to his appointment to command the Classis Britannica, a fleet based in the
English Channel, with the responsibility of eliminating Frankish and Saxon pirates who had been raiding
the coasts of Armorica and Belgica. However, he was suspected of keeping captured treasure for himself,
and even of allowing the pirates to carry out raids and enrich themselves before taking action against
them, and Maximian ordered his execution. In late 286 or early 287 Carausius learned of this sentence and
responded by declaring himself Emperor in Britain and northern Gaul.[1] His forces comprised not only his
fleet, augmented by new ships he had built, and the three legions stationed in Britain, but a legion he
had seized in Gaul, a number of foreign auxiliary units, a levy of Gaulish merchant ships, and barbarian
mercenaries attracted by the prospect of booty...
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A native of Gaul, born among the Menapii. His naval abilities
attracted the notice of Maximian, who gave him the command of
a squadron against the pirates. He proved, however, unfaithful
to his trust, and too much bent upon enriching himself.
Maximian thereupon gave orders to put him to death; but
Carausius, apprised of this in season, retired with his fleet
to Britain. Here he succeeded in gaining over, or else
intimidating, the only Roman legion that remained in the
island, and finally proclaimed himself emperor. He forced the
emperors Maximian and Diocletian to acknowledge his authority,
which he maintained for the space of seven years (286-293). He
was assassinated by Allectus.
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