Editing Quintillus (section)

==Reign of Quintillus==
Quintillus was declared emperor after Claudius died in 270 CE. [[Eutropius (historian)|Eutropius]] reports Quintillus to have been elected by soldiers of the [[Roman army]] immediately following the death of his brother;{{sfn|Eutropius|loc=IX:12}} the choice was reportedly approved by the [[Roman Senate]]. [[Joannes Zonaras]] reports him elected by the Senate itself.{{sfn|Zonaras|loc=12:26}} Records, however, agree that the [[Roman legion|legions]] which had followed Claudius in campaigning along the [[Danube]] were either unaware or disapproving of Quintillus' elevation. They instead elevated their current leader [[Aurelian]] as emperor.{{sfn|Banchich|1999}}

The few records of Quintillus' reign are contradictory. It is variously reported to have lasted 17 days ([[Jerome]], [[Eutropius (historian)|Eutropius]] and [[Zonaras]]), 77 days ([[Filocalus]]), or "a few months" ([[Zosimus (historian)|Zosimus]]). Modern scholars believe "17" to be a misreading of a larger number, since Quintillus had time to produce an abundance of coins.{{sfn|Banchich|1999}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Syvänne|first=Ilkka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8nD1DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65|title=Aurelian and Probus|publisher=[[Pen and Sword]]|year=2020|isbn=9781526767530|pages=65}}</ref> Records also disagree on the cause of his death. The ''[[Historia Augusta]]'' reports him [[murder]]ed by his own soldiers in reaction to his strict [[military discipline]].{{sfn|Historia Augusta|loc=12:5}} [[Jerome]] says that he was slain at [[Aquileia]], without further specifics.{{sfn|Jerome|loc=s.a. 271}} According to Joannes Zonaras, Quintillus [[Suicide methods#Cutting and stabbing|opened his veins and bled himself to death]];{{sfn|Zonaras|loc=12:26}} [[John of Antioch (historian)|John of Antioch]] concurs, adding that the suicide was assisted by a [[physician]].{{sfn|Banchich|1999}} [[Claudius Salmasius]] noted that [[Dexippus]] recorded the death without stating causes.{{sfn|Historia Augusta|loc=12:6}} All records, however, agree in placing the death at [[Aquileia]]. Quintillus was reportedly survived by his two sons.{{sfn|Historia Augusta|loc=13:9}}

The ''Historia Augusta'' reports Claudius and Quintillus having another brother named Crispus and through him a niece, [[Claudia (mother of Constantius)|Claudia]], who reportedly married Eutropius and was mother to [[Constantius Chlorus]].{{sfn|Historia Augusta|loc=13:1}} Some historians however suspect this account to be a [[genealogical]] [[Lie#Fabrication|fabrication]] to flatter [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]].{{sfn|Banchich|1999}}