List of Roman usurpers


The following is a list of usurpers in the Roman Empire —individuals who unsuccessfully claimed and/or attempted to usurp the throne of a ruling emperor. The ancient term was "tyrant", which had negative connotation in and of itself. Usurpation was common during the whole imperial era; virtually all imperial dynasties rose to power through usurpation and conspiracies. The "imperial office" established by Augustus never defined an stable system of succession, and emperors often had to rely solely on military power to survive.
In the Eastern Roman Empire, rebellion and usurpation were so notoriously frequent that the modern term "byzantine" became a byword for political intrigue and conspiracy. For usurpation in the Eastern Roman Empire, see List of Byzantine usurpers.

Usurpers who became legitimate emperors

The following individuals began as usurpers, but became the legitimate emperor either by establishing uncontested control of the empire or by confirmation of their position by the Senate or by the legitimate emperor. Emperors marked in bold are those who managed to secure the throne for themselves; all other emperors, unless noted, were murdered in office.

First civil war

Second civil war

Crisis of the Third Century

4th–5th centuries

Constantine I
These last emperors of the West Empire were all accepted by the Senate but never recognized as colleagues by the Emperor of the East.

Unsuccessful usurpers or rebels

1st century rebels

All "usurpers" began as rebels, but not all rebels claimed the imperial titles. These early figures rebelled against the emperor, but most likely did not claim the imperial title.

3rd century

[Gallic Empire] (260–274)

The Gallic Empire was breakaway part of the Roman Empire that, unlike most usurper-ran territories, functioned de facto as a separate state from 260 to 274. It had its own capital, a clear succession of emperors, its own pair of yearly-elected consuls, and even its own usurpers. At its height, the Empire controlled all Western European provinces: Hispania, Gaul and Britannia. The term "Gallic Empire" and "Gallic Emperor" are modern conventions; its rulers continued to use the standard imperial titulature without changes.

[Palmyrene Empire] (271–273)

The Palmyrene Empire was a short-lived breakaway state centered around the city of Palmyra. It encompassed the Roman provinces of Syria Palaestina, Arabia Petraea, and Egypt, as well as large parts of Asia Minor. Chaos consumed the East following the capture of Valerian and the revolts of Macrianus, but the territories were eventually pacified by Odaenathus, who was named Dux Romanorum and Corrector totius orientis by Gallienus, effectively turning the territory into a semi-independent entity. Odaenathus was proclaimed "King of Kings", but remained loyal to the Emperor. He was murdered by his son Hairan in 267, who was in turn killed by his cousin Maeonius. The throne went to Odaenathus' young son Vaballathus, who reigned under the regency of her mother Zenobia.
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