bpv_649504 - VALERIAN I Dupondius

I VALÉRIEN

(07/253-06/260) Publius Licinius Valerianus

Valerian was born in 193 and had a distinguished military and political career. Main contributor of Trajan Decius, he was proclaimed in august 253. It gets rid of turn Trebonianus Galle and Volusien and Emilien and immediately associated his son Gallienus to the throne. 256, a Gothic invasion threatens the provinces of the Black Sea. Shapur (Sapor), Sassanian king arrives at Antioch the following year. Valerian I began the great persecution against Christians in 258. In 259, the Empire, already weakened, is invaded on the Rhine-Danube limes and East, Shapur (Sapor) seizes Antioch. Valerian to meet him, but was defeated and taken prisoner. Shapur (Sapor) will use the fallen emperor as a step before doing live skinning. Christians see it as God's punishment for the persecution Gallien hastens to stop.