Editing Aurelian (section)

=== Under Claudius ===
Claudius was proclaimed emperor by the soldiers outside Mediolanum. The new emperor immediately ordered the Senate to deify Gallienus. Next, Claudius began to distance himself from those responsible for his predecessor's assassination, ordering the execution of those directly involved.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=42}} [[Aureolus]] was still besieged in Mediolanum and sought reconciliation with the new emperor, but Claudius had no sympathy for a potential rival. The emperor had Aureolus killed and one source implicates Aurelian in the deed, perhaps even signing the warrant for his death himself.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=42}}

During the reign of Claudius, Aurelian was promoted rapidly: he was given command of the elite Dalmatian cavalry and soon promoted to overall head of the army after the emperor and what had been Emperor Claudius' own position before his acclamation.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=42}} The war against Aureolus and the concentration of forces in Italy allowed the [[Alamanni]] to break through the [[Limes Germanicus|Rhaetian limes]] along the upper [[Danube]]. Marching through [[Raetia]] and the [[Alps]] unhindered, they entered northern Italy and began pillaging the area. In early 269, emperor Claudius and Aurelian marched north to meet the Alamanni, defeating them at the [[Battle of Lake Benacus]].{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=43}}

While still dealing with the defeated enemy, news came from the [[Balkans]] reporting large-scale attacks from the [[Heruli]], [[Goths]], [[Gepids]], and [[Bastarnae]].{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=43}} Claudius immediately dispatched Aurelian to the Balkans to contain the invasion as best he could until Claudius could arrive with his main army.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=44}} The Goths were besieging [[Thessalonica]] when they heard of emperor Claudius' approach, causing them to abandon the siege and pillage north-eastern Macedonia. Aurelian intercepted the Goths with his Dalmatian cavalry and defeated them in a series of minor skirmishes, killing as many as three thousand of the enemy. Aurelian continued to harass the enemy, driving them northward into [[Upper Moesia]] where emperor Claudius had assembled his main army. The ensuing battle was indecisive: the northward advance of the Goths was halted but Roman losses were heavy.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=44}}

Claudius could not afford another pitched battle, so he instead laid a successful ambush, killing thousands. However, the majority of the Goths escaped and began retreating south the way they had come. For the rest of year, Aurelian harassed the enemy with his Dalmatian cavalry.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=45}}

[[Image:Carska palata Sirmijum1.JPG|thumb|Ruins of Imperial Palace at [[Sirmium]], today in [[Sremska Mitrovica]]]]
Now stranded in Roman territory, the Goths' lack of provisions began to take its toll. Aurelian, sensing his enemies' desperation, attacked them with the full force of his cavalry, killing many and driving the remainder westward into [[Thrace]].{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=45}} As winter set in, the Goths retreated into the [[Haemus Mons|Haemus Mountains]], only to find themselves trapped and surrounded. The harsh conditions now exacerbated their shortage of food. However, the Romans underestimated the Goths and let their guard down, allowing the enemy to break through their lines and escape. Apparently emperor Claudius ignored advice, perhaps from Aurelian, and withheld the cavalry and sent in only the infantry to stop their break-out.

The determined Goths killed many of the oncoming infantry and were only prevented from slaughtering them all when Aurelian finally charged in with his Dalmatian cavalry. The Goths still managed to escape and continued their march through Thrace.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=45}} The Roman army continued to follow the Goths during the spring and summer of 270. Meanwhile, a devastating plague swept through the Balkans, killing many soldiers in both armies.

Emperor Claudius fell ill on the march to the battle and returned to his regional headquarters in Sirmium, leaving Aurelian in charge of operations against the Goths.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=45}} Aurelian used his cavalry to great effect, breaking the Goths into smaller groups which were easier to handle. By late summer the Goths were defeated: any survivors were stripped of their animals and booty and were levied into the army or settled as farmers in frontier regions.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=45}} Aurelian had no time to relish his victories; in late August news arrived from Sirmium that emperor Claudius was dead.{{sfn|Watson|1999|p=46}}