Editing List of Roman emperors (section)

=== Crisis of the Third Century (235–285) ===
{{Main|Crisis of the Third Century|Year of the Six Emperors|Gordian dynasty}}
{{Legend|#EBEBEB|({{Hash-tag}}) – Ambiguous legitimacy{{Efn|Unless otherwise noted to be some other ambiguity, the emperors marked to be of ambiguous legitimacy are those who fulfill one or more of the inclusion criteria above, but who are not universally regarded by scholars to count as legitimate. In most cases, such figures are those who held power only briefly, and/or who in times of more than one emperor held one of the capitals but never achieved the full recognition of the other emperor(s).{{Sfn|Vagi|1999|pp=415, 463, 529}}{{Sfn|Omissi|2018|p=24}}{{failed verification|date=February 2025}}{{Sfn|Seibt|2018|p=213}}{{Sfn|Tilemachos|2015|p=243}}|name=ambig}}}}
{{Legend|#F0FFFF|(§) – Varying ascribed status{{Efn|name=Principate co-emperors}}}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"
|+ {{Sronly|Crisis of the Third Century}}
! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait
! scope=col width="17%" | Name
! scope=col width="26%" | Reign{{Efn|On account of the limited surviving source material, almost all dates used here are just approximate. The chronology of the whole period is dubious and sources rarely agree on each other, in part due to the fact that many reigns overlap due to most emperors starting as rivals. For an analysis of the chronology, see {{Harvnb|Rea|1972}}, {{Harvnb|Peachin|1990}} and {{Harvnb|Burgess|2014}}.}}
! scope=col width="25%" | Succession
! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

|-
| [[File:Maximinus Thrax Musei Capitolini MC473 (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus I]]''' "Thrax"<br/>{{Small|''Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus''}}
|{{Circa}} March 235 – c. June 238<br/>{{Small|(3 years and 3 months)}}
| Proclaimed emperor by Germanic legions after the murder of [[Severus Alexander]], recognized at Rome on 23 March 235
| c. 172–180 – c. June 238<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 58–66)}}<hr/>First commoner to become emperor. Murdered by his men during the [[siege of Aquileia]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=137–139|3a1=Omissi|1pp=176–179|3y=2018|3p=10|4a1=Burgess|4y=2014|4pp=67–69}}

|-
| [[File:Gordian1cng80000719 (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Gordian I]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus''}}
| c. April – {{Circa}} May 238<br/>{{Small|(22 days)}}
| Proclaimed emperor alongside his son, [[Gordian II]], while serving as governor of [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa]], in a revolt against [[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus]], and recognized by the [[Roman Senate|Senate]]
| c. 158 (?) – c. May 238<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 80)}}<hr/>Oldest emperor at the time of his elevation. Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of his son{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=140–141|3a1=Meijer|1pp=180–181|3y=2004|3p=85}}

|-
| [[File:Gordiano II - ritratto da sesterzio.jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Gordian II]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus''}}
| c. April – c. May 238<br/>{{Small|(22 days)}}
| Proclaimed emperor alongside his father [[Gordian I]], during revolt in [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa]] against [[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus]]
| c. 192 – c. May 238<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 46)}}<hr/>The shortest-reigning emperor. Killed outside [[Carthage]] in battle against an army loyal to [[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus I]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=142–143|3a1=Meijer|3y=2004|3p=85|1p=182|4a1=Peachin|4y=1990|4p=28}}

|-
| [[File:Pupienus Musei Capitolini MC477 (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Pupienus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus''}}
| c. May – c. August 238<br/>{{Small|(99 days)}}
| Proclaimed emperor jointly with [[Balbinus]] by the Senate after death of [[Gordian I]] and [[Gordian II|II]], in opposition to [[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus]]
| c. 164 – c. August 238<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 74)}}<hr/>Tortured and murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=146–148|3a1=Meijer|1pp=183–184|3y=2004|3p=87|4a1=Peachin|4y=1990|4p=28}}

|-
| [[File:Ritratto di balbino, 238 (cropped enhanced).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Balbinus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus''}}
| c. May – c. August 238<br/>{{Small|(99 days)}}
| Proclaimed emperor jointly with [[Pupienus]] by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to [[Maximinus Thrax|Maximinus]]
| c. 178 – c. August 238<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 60)}}<hr/>Tortured and murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=144–145|1pp=185–186|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3p=28}}

|-
| [[File:Bust Gordianus III Louvre Ma1063 (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Gordian III]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Antonius Gordianus''}}
| c. August 238 – c. February 244<br/>{{Small|(c. 5 years and 6 months)}}
| Grandson of [[Gordian I]], appointed as heir by [[Pupienus]] and [[Balbinus]], upon whose deaths he succeeded as emperor
| 20 January 225 – c. February 244<br/>{{Small|(aged 19)}}<hr/>Died during campaign against [[Sasanian Empire|Persia]], possibly in a murder plot instigated by [[Philip the Arab|Philip I]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1pp=187–189|2a1=Grant|2pp=149–151|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3p=29}}

|-
| [[File:Portrait of Philip the Arab. Saint-Petersburg (head).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Philip the Arab|Philip I]]''' "the Arab"<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Julius Philippus''}}
| c. February 244 – September/October 249<br/>{{Small|(c. 5 years and 7/8 months)}}
| [[Praetorian prefect]] under [[Gordian III]], seized power after his death
| c. 204 – September/October 249<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 45)}}<hr/>Killed at the [[Battle of Verona (249)|Battle of Verona]], against [[Decius]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|1pp=190–191|2pp=152–155}}

|-
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | [[File:MSR-ra-73-h-1-DM (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | '''[[Philip II (Roman emperor)|Philip II]]''' "the Younger" (§)<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Julius Severus Philippus''}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | July/August 247 – September/October 249<br/>{{Small|(c. 2 years and 2 months)}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Philip I, appointed co-emperor
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. 237 – September/October 249<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 12)}}<hr/>Murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|1pp=192–193|2pp=152–155}}

|-
| [[File:Emperor Traianus Decius (Mary Harrsch) enhanced (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Decius]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius''}}
| September/October 249 – June 251<br/>{{Small|(c. 1 year and 8/9 months)}}
| Proclaimed emperor by the troops in [[Moesia]], then defeated and killed [[Philip the Arab|Philip I]] in battle
| c. 190/200 – June 251<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 50/60)}}<hr/>Killed at the [[Battle of Abrittus]], against the [[Goths]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|1pp=195–197|2pp=156–159}}

|-
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | [[File:Coin of Herennius Etruscus as augustus (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | '''[[Herennius Etruscus]]''' (§)<br/>{{Small|''Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius''}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | May/June – June 251<br/>{{Small|(less than a month)}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of [[Decius]], appointed co-emperor
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – June 251<hr/>Killed at the [[Battle of Abrittus]] alongside his [[Decius|father]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|1pp=197–198|2pp=156–159}}

|-
| [[File:Bronze statue of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus (detail) (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=statue]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Trebonianus Gallus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus''}}
| June 251 – {{Circa}} August 253<br/>{{Small|(c. 2 years and 2 months)}}
| Senator and general, proclaimed emperor after the deaths of [[Decius]] and [[Herennius Etruscus]]
| c. 206 – c. August 253<br/>{{Small|(aged 47)}}<hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of [[Aemilian]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|1pp=200–201|2pp=160–161}}

|-
| [[File:Sestertius Hostilian-s2771 (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | '''[[Hostilian]]''' (§)<br/>{{Small|''Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus''}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. June – c. July 251<br/>{{Small|(c. 1 month)}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Younger son of Decius, named ''caesar'' by his father and proclaimed co-emperor by Trebonianus Gallus
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – c. July 251<hr/>Died of [[Plague of Cyprian|plague]] or murdered by Trebonianus Gallus{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1pp=198–199|2a1=Peachin|2y=1990|2p=34}}

|-
| [[File:Aureus Volusianus (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | '''[[Volusianus]]''' (§)<br/>{{Small|''Gaius Vibius Afinius Gallus Veldumnianus Volusianus''}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. August 251 – c. August 253<br/>{{Small|(2 years)}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Gallus, appointed co-emperor
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. 230 – c. August 253<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 23)}}<hr/>Murdered by the soldiers, alongside his father{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=160–161|3a1=Peachin|1pp=201–202|3y=1990|3p=36}}

|-
| [[File:Aemilianus RIC IV 20 (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Aemilianus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus''}}
| c. July – c. September 253<br/>{{Small|(two months?)}}
| Commander in [[Moesia]], proclaimed emperor by his soldiers after defeating barbarians, in opposition to Gallus
| c. 207 – c. September 253<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 46)}}<hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of [[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|3a1=Peachin|1pp=203–204|3y=1990|3pp=36–37|2p=162}}

|-
| style="background:#EBEBEB" | [[File:Silbannacus coin (transparent background).png|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | '''[[Silbannacus]]'''{{Efn|Unmentioned in literary sources and known only from two coins seemingly issued in Rome, implying he was proclaimed emperor in the capital, probably between Aemilianus and Valerian, or against either.{{Sfn|Claes|2015|p=44}}{{Sfn|Estiot|1996|pp=105–117}}{{Sfn|Hartmann|2002}}}} ({{Hash-tag}})<br/>{{Small|''Mar. Silbannacus''}}
| style="background:#EBEBEB" | c. September/October 253 (?)<br/>{{Small|(very briefly?)}}
| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Obscure figure known only from coinage, may have briefly ruled in Rome between Aemilianus and Valerian
| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Nothing known{{Sfn|Estiot|1996}}

|-
| [[File:Valerianus Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek IN3387.jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Publius Licinius Valerianus''}}
| c. September 253 – c. June 260<br/>{{Small|(c. 6 years and 9 months)}}
| Army commander in [[Raetia]] and [[Noricum]], proclaimed emperor by the legions in opposition to Aemilian
| c. 200 – after 262 (?)<hr/>[[Battle of Edessa|Captured at Edessa]] by the [[Sasanian Empire|Persian]] king [[Shapur I]], died in captivity possibly forced to swallow molten gold{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=163–167|3a1=Peachin|1pp=205–207|3y=1990|3pp=37–38}}

|-
| [[File:Ritratto di gallieno dalla casa delle vestali.jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Gallienus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus''}}
| c. September 253 – c. September 268<br/>{{Small|(15 years)}}
| Son of Valerian, appointed joint emperor. Sole emperor after Valerian's capture in 260
| 218 – c. September 268<br/>{{Small|(aged 50)}}<hr/>Faced [[Gallienus usurpers|multiple revolts]] & barbarian invasions. Murdered in a conspiracy of army officers, involving [[Claudius Gothicus|Claudius II]] and [[Aurelian]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1pp=209–211|2a1=Grant|2pp=168–172|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3pp=39–40}}

|-
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | [[File:Saloninus coin (transparent background).png|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | '''[[Saloninus]]'''{{Efn|Made ''caesar'' by his father and only referred to as ''augustus'' in a single series of coins, issued while he was besieged in [[Cologne]] in 260. Coinage issued after his death lack any title; probably because Gallienus did not want to advertise the death of a second emperor in one year.{{Sfn|Shiel|1979|p=117}}{{Sfn|Vagi|1999|p=357}} It is unclear whether his acclamation was ever recognized (or even known) by Gallienus, but if he had survived it would surely have been recognized (like [[Theodosius II]], who was proclaimed by the army but was accepted by [[Gallienus]]).}} (§)<br/>{{Small|''Publius Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus''}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Autumn 260<br/>{{Small|(c. 1 month)}}
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Gallienus, proclaimed ''caesar'' by his father and proclaimed emperor by the praetorian prefect [[Silvanus (praetorian prefect)|Silvanus]] while besieged by [[Postumus]]
| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – Late 260<hr/>Murdered by troops loyal to Postumus{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1p=213|2a1=Grant|2pp=168–172|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3pp=39–40}}

|-
| [[File:Claudius Gothicus, Worcester Art Museum (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Claudius Gothicus|Claudius II]]''' "Gothicus"<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Claudius''}}
| c. September 268 – c. August 270<br/>{{Small|(c. 1 year and 11 months)}}
| Army commander in [[Illyria]], proclaimed emperor after Gallienus's death
| 10 May 214 – August/September (?) 270<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 55)}}<hr/>Died of [[Plague of Cyprian|plague]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1p=222|2a1=Grant|2pp=179–180|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3pp=42–43}}

|-
| [[File:Aureus Quintillus (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Quintillus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Claudius Quintillus''}}
| c. August – c. September 270<br/>{{Small|({{Circa}} 27 days)}}
| Brother of Claudius II, proclaimed emperor after his death
| Unknown – 270<hr/>Committed suicide or killed at the behest of Aurelian{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1p=224|2a1=Grant|2pp=181–182|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3p=43}}

|-
| [[File:5305 - Brescia - S. Giulia - Ritratto di Claudio II il Gotico - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 25 Giu 2011 (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Aurelian]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Lucius Domitius Aurelianus''}}
| c. August 270 – c. November 275<br/>{{Small|(c. 5 years and 3 months)}}
| Commander of the Roman cavalry, proclaimed emperor by Danube legions after Claudius II's death, in opposition to Quintillus
| 9 September 214 – Sept./Dec. 275<br/>{{Small|(aged 61)}}<hr/>Reunified the Roman Empire. Murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=183–187|3a1=Peachin|1pp=225–227|3y=1990|3pp=43–44}}

|-
| [[File:P1150181 Louvre empereur Tacite Ma1018 rwk enhanced (cropped).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Tacitus (emperor)|Tacitus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Claudius Tacitus''}}
| c. December 275 – c. June 276<br/>{{Small|(c. 7 months)}}
| Alleged ''[[princeps senatus]]'', proclaimed emperor by the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] or, more likely, by his soldiers in [[Campania]] after Aurelian's death
| c. 200 (?) – c. June 276<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 76)}}<hr/>Died of illness or possibly murdered{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=188–189|3a1=Watson|1pp=241–242|3y=1999|3pp=110, 225, 250 (n. 46)}}

|-
| [[File:Aureus Florianus Ticinum (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Florianus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Annius Florianus''}}
| c. June – September 276<br/>{{Small|(88 days)}}
| Maternal half-brother of Tacitus, proclaimed himself emperor after the death of Tacitus
| Unknown – September/October 276<hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Probus{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3pp=46–47|2p=190|1p=243}}

|-
| [[File:Probus Musei Capitolini MC493 (cropped enhanced).jpg|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Probus (emperor)|Probus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Probus''}}
| c. June 276 – c. September 282<br/>{{Small|(c. 6 years and 3 months)}}
| General; proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions, in opposition to Florianus
| 19 August 232 – c. September 282<br/>{{Small|(aged 50)}}<hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Carus{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=191–193|3a1=Peachin|1pp=244–245|3y=1990|3p=47}}

|-
| [[File:Carusinc2955obverse.png|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Carus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Carus''}}
| c. September 282 – c. July/August 283<br/>{{Small|(c. 10 months)}}
| Praetorian prefect under Probus, seized power before or after Probus's murder
| c. 224 (?) – c. July/August 283<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 60)}}<hr/>Died in [[Sasanian Empire|Persia]], either of illness, assassination, or by being hit by lightning{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=194–195|3a1=Peachin|1pp=248–249|3y=1990|3p=49}}

|-
| [[File:Montemartini - Carino cropped (cropped).JPG|100px|alt=bust]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Carinus]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Carinus''}}
| Spring 283 – August/September 285<br/>{{Small|(2 years)}}
| Son of Carus, appointed joint emperor shortly before his death. Succeeded jointly with Numerian
| c. 250 – August/September 285<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 35)}}<hr/>Probably died in battle against Diocletian, likely betrayed by his own soldiers{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|1pp=250–251|2a1=Grant|2pp=196–197|3a1=Peachin|3y=1990|3pp=49–50}}

|-
| [[File:Aureus of Numerian (obverse).jpg|100px|alt=coin]]
! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | '''[[Numerian]]'''<br/>{{Small|''Marcus Aurelius Numerianus''}}
| c. July/August 283 – November 284<br/>{{Small|(1 year and 3/4 months)}}
| Son of Carus, succeeded jointly with Carinus
| c. 253 – November 284<br/>{{Small|(aged approx. 31)}}<hr/>Died while marching to Europe, probably of disease, possibly assassinated{{Sfnm|1a1=Kienast|1a2=Eck|1a3=Heil|2a1=Grant|2pp=198–201|1p=252}}

|}