Proculus
Encyclopedia
Proculus was a Roman usurper
, one of the "minor pretenders" according to Historia Augusta; he took the purple against Emperor
Probus in 280.
Probably Proculus had family connection with the Franks
, to whom he turned in vain when his bid for imperial power was failing. He was a native of Albingaunum (modern Albenga
in Liguria
). Though he was accounted a noble, his ancestors had been brigands and were the source of his vast wealth. Proculus was able to arm 2000 slaves of his own latifundia
after seizing imperial office in the West. He was married to a woman named Vituriga, who was given the nickname "Samso" for her capabilities (considered "unwomanly" by the fourth century author of Historia Augusta), and at the time of his usurpation, he had one son, Herennianus, aged four.
Proculus was an ambitious soldier, who had commanded more than one legion
as tribune
; when in 280 he was asked by the people of Lugdunum
(Lyon) who had started a rebellion against Emperor
Probus to take the purple, he accepted, proclaiming himself joint emperor with Bonosus
. "He was, nevertheless, of some benefit to the Gauls, for he crushed the Alamanni
— who then were still called Germans — and not without illustrious glory, though he never fought save in brigand-fashion" (Historia Augusta)
On his return from fighting the Sassanids in Syria
, Probus forced Proculus to retreat north. After failing to find support among the Franks
, he was betrayed by them and handed over to Probus. Probus had Proculus killed (ca. 281), but spared his family " with his accustomed moderation, and spared the fortunes as well as the lives of their innocent families," (Gibbon, I.12) who remained at Albingaunum, declaring, according to Historia Augusta, that they wished neither to be princes nor brigands.
There exists a letter by Proculus that was cited by Gibbon
and that is probably fictitious but nevertheless interesting:
Not to be confused with a jurist Proculus.http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2874.html
Roman usurper
Usurpers are individuals or groups of individuals who obtain and maintain the power or rights of another by force and without legal authority. Usurpation was endemic during roman imperial era, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.The...
, one of the "minor pretenders" according to Historia Augusta; he took the purple against Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Probus in 280.
Probably Proculus had family connection with the Franks
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
, to whom he turned in vain when his bid for imperial power was failing. He was a native of Albingaunum (modern Albenga
Albenga
Albenga is a city and comune situated on the Gulf of Genoa on the Italian Riviera in the Province of Savona in Liguria, northern Italy.left|thumb|220px|Towers of Albenga.The economy is mostly based on tourism, local commerce and agriculture-History:...
in Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
). Though he was accounted a noble, his ancestors had been brigands and were the source of his vast wealth. Proculus was able to arm 2000 slaves of his own latifundia
Latifundia
Latifundia are pieces of property covering very large land areas. The latifundia of Roman history were great landed estates, specializing in agriculture destined for export: grain, olive oil, or wine...
after seizing imperial office in the West. He was married to a woman named Vituriga, who was given the nickname "Samso" for her capabilities (considered "unwomanly" by the fourth century author of Historia Augusta), and at the time of his usurpation, he had one son, Herennianus, aged four.
Proculus was an ambitious soldier, who had commanded more than one legion
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
as tribune
Tribune
Tribune was a title shared by elected officials in the Roman Republic. Tribunes had the power to convene the Plebeian Council and to act as its president, which also gave them the right to propose legislation before it. They were sacrosanct, in the sense that any assault on their person was...
; when in 280 he was asked by the people of Lugdunum
Lugdunum
Colonia Copia Claudia Augusta Lugdunum was an important Roman city in Gaul. The city was founded in 43 BC by Lucius Munatius Plancus. It served as the capital of the Roman province Gallia Lugdunensis. To 300 years after its foundation Lugdunum was the most important city to the west part of Roman...
(Lyon) who had started a rebellion against Emperor
Emperor
An emperor is a monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife or a woman who rules in her own right...
Probus to take the purple, he accepted, proclaiming himself joint emperor with Bonosus
Bonosus (emperor)
Bonosus was a Roman usurper. Born in Hispania, his father was from Britain and his mother from Gaul. He lost his father early in life but his mother gave him a decent education...
. "He was, nevertheless, of some benefit to the Gauls, for he crushed the Alamanni
Alamanni
The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of Germanic tribes located around the upper Rhine river . One of the earliest references to them is the cognomen Alamannicus assumed by Roman Emperor Caracalla, who ruled the Roman Empire from 211 to 217 and claimed thereby to be...
— who then were still called Germans — and not without illustrious glory, though he never fought save in brigand-fashion" (Historia Augusta)
On his return from fighting the Sassanids in Syria
Syria (Roman province)
Syria was a Roman province, annexed in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursuing victory in the Third Mithridatic War. It remained under Roman, and subsequently Byzantine, rule for seven centuries, until 637 when it fell to the Islamic conquests.- Principate :The...
, Probus forced Proculus to retreat north. After failing to find support among the Franks
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
, he was betrayed by them and handed over to Probus. Probus had Proculus killed (ca. 281), but spared his family " with his accustomed moderation, and spared the fortunes as well as the lives of their innocent families," (Gibbon, I.12) who remained at Albingaunum, declaring, according to Historia Augusta, that they wished neither to be princes nor brigands.
There exists a letter by Proculus that was cited by Gibbon
Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon was an English historian and Member of Parliament...
and that is probably fictitious but nevertheless interesting:
- Proculus Maeciano adfini salutum dicit. centum ex Sarmatia virgines cep, ex his una nocte decem inivi; omnes tamen, quod in me erat, mulieres intra dies quindecim reddidi.
Not to be confused with a jurist Proculus.http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2874.html