Editing Gallienus (section)

====Alemanni invasion====
A major invasion by the [[Alemanni]] and other Germanic tribes occurred between 258 and 260 (it is hard to fix the precise date of these events),<ref>J. Bray (1997), p. 47</ref> probably due to the vacuum left by the withdrawal of troops supporting Gallienus in the campaign against Ingenuus. [[Franks]] broke through the lower Rhine, invading [[Gaul]], some reaching as far as southern Spain, sacking Tarraco (modern [[Tarragona]]).<ref name=Watson34>A. Watson (1999), p. 34</ref> The Alemanni invaded, probably through [[Agri Decumates]] (an area between the upper Rhine and the upper Danube),<ref>J. Bray (1997), p. 78</ref> likely followed by the [[Juthungi]].<ref name=Watson34>A. Watson (1999), p. 34</ref> After devastating Germania Superior and Raetia (parts of southern [[France]] and [[Switzerland]]), they entered Italy, the first invasion of the Italian peninsula, aside from its most remote northern regions, since [[Hannibal]] 500 years before. When invaders reached the outskirts of Rome, they were repelled by an improvised army assembled by the Senate, consisting of local troops (probably praetorian guards) and the strongest of the civilian population.<ref name=Bray79>J. Bray (1997), p. 79</ref> On their retreat through northern Italy, they were intercepted and defeated in the [[battle of Mediolanum]] (near present-day [[Milan]]) by Gallienus's army, which had advanced from Gaul, or from the Balkans after dealing with the Franks.<ref name=Bray79>J. Bray (1997), p. 79</ref> The battle of Mediolanum was decisive, and the Alemanni did not bother the empire for the next ten years. The Juthungi managed to cross the Alps with their valuables and captives from Italy.<ref name=Watson34>A. Watson (1999), p. 34</ref>{{sfnp|Potter|2004|p=256}} A historian in the 19th century suggested that the initiative of the Senate gave rise to jealousy and suspicion by Gallienus, thus contributing to his exclusion of senators from military commands.<ref>Victor Duruy, ''History of the Roman Empire'', vol VI, part II, p. 418, London, 1886</ref>