Editing Gallic Empire (section)

==Causes==

The Gallic Empire was symptomatic of the fragmentation of power during the [[Crisis of the Third Century|third-century crisis]]. It has also been taken to represent autonomous trends in the western provinces, including proto-[[feudalism|feudalistic]] tendencies among the Gaulish land-owning class whose support has sometimes been thought to have underpinned the strength of the Gallic Empire,{{sfn|Drinkwater|1987|p=239}} and an interplay between the strength of Roman institutions and the growing importance of provincial concerns.{{sfn|Drinkwater|1987|pp=247-8}}

One of Postumus' primary objectives as emperor was evidently the defense of the [[Germanic frontier]]. In 261, he repelled mixed groups of [[Franks]] and [[Alamanni]] to hold the Rhine ''[[Limes (Roman Empire)|limes]]'' secure (though lands beyond the upper Rhine and Danube had to be abandoned to the barbarians within a couple of years).{{sfn|Drinkwater|1987|pp=226-7}} In so doing, Postumus positioned himself avowedly as not only the defender and restorer of Gaul, but also as the upholder of the Roman name.{{sfn|Drinkwater|1987|pp=24-27}}{{efn|Gallic emperors are called ''adsertores Romani nominis'' in the ''[[Augustan History|Historia Augusta]]''.}}

Similarly with the withdrawal of legions after 408, many Britons desired a localized Roman authority rather than nationalist revolt. The desire for Roman order and institutions was entirely compatible with a degree of national or regional separatism.