The life of Numerian
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Birth name:
Other names: Born: Died: Cause of death: Reign: Co-emperor: Dynasty: Predecessor: Successor: |
Marcus Aurelius Numerius Numerianus
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Numerius Numerianus (as Caesar) Caesar Marcus Aurelius Numerius Numerianus Augustus (as emperor) Unknown 20 November, 284 AD - Emesa (age unknown) Unknown 283 AD – 284 AD (1 year) Carinus Caran Carus Diocletian |
Early Life
Much like his brother Carinus, the year and place of Numerian's birth is unknown. He only comes into prominence in historical works when his father, Carus, became Roman Emperor in 282. Carus' first act as Emperor was to lay the foundations of a dynasty, and he elevated both his sons to the position of Caesar. Essentially this made Numerian and Carinus junior Emperor's with limited responsibility and power until they inherited the throne from their father, or were elevated further to a position of co-Emperor.
Carus wished to begin a campaign in the East to battle invading tribes and the Sassanids, who had plagued the Roman Empire for decades. Numerian accompanied his father to the East while Carinus was left in the West to maintain order. Numerian and his father saw great success against the Sassanids. They had crossed well beyond the river Tigris and were conquering large swathes of Sassanid territory. The Sassanids were locked in a civil war and simply couldn't stop the Roman tide and even the Sassanid capital, Ctesiphon, fell. Numerian and his father successfully avenged the series of humiliating defeats that Rome had suffered over the previous decades. However their invasion would soon be cut short. During a particularly violent storm Carus unexpectedly died, possibly after being struck by lightning. Some sources suggest he was killed by his own Praetorian Prefect, Flavius Aper. Numerian and Carinus succeeded Carus as joint Emperors without any opposition, so it is more likely that he died through natural causes, rather than a conspiracy.
Carus wished to begin a campaign in the East to battle invading tribes and the Sassanids, who had plagued the Roman Empire for decades. Numerian accompanied his father to the East while Carinus was left in the West to maintain order. Numerian and his father saw great success against the Sassanids. They had crossed well beyond the river Tigris and were conquering large swathes of Sassanid territory. The Sassanids were locked in a civil war and simply couldn't stop the Roman tide and even the Sassanid capital, Ctesiphon, fell. Numerian and his father successfully avenged the series of humiliating defeats that Rome had suffered over the previous decades. However their invasion would soon be cut short. During a particularly violent storm Carus unexpectedly died, possibly after being struck by lightning. Some sources suggest he was killed by his own Praetorian Prefect, Flavius Aper. Numerian and Carinus succeeded Carus as joint Emperors without any opposition, so it is more likely that he died through natural causes, rather than a conspiracy.
Reign, Death & Legacy
Numerian decided to turn the Roman army around and return to their own lands, rather than pushing further into Sassanid territory. It is reported that Numerian was suffering from inflammation of the eyes and travelling inside a private coach on their way back to the West. Numerian was discovered dead inside his coach when the army arrived at Emesa. It is unknown if he died from natural causes or if there was a more sinister reason that resulted in his demise.
Numerian's commander of his private bodyguard, Diocletian, declared that Flavius Aper was responsible for his death. This is not an entirely unrealistic claim, as some suggest he was responsible for the death of Carus too. Regardless of his innocence or guilt, Diocletian executed Aper to avenge the fallen Emperor.
The army proclaimed Diocletian as their new Emperor, despite Carinus still ruling in the West. The two would ultimately meet in battle with Diocletian being victorious, ending the Caran dynasty.
Numerian's commander of his private bodyguard, Diocletian, declared that Flavius Aper was responsible for his death. This is not an entirely unrealistic claim, as some suggest he was responsible for the death of Carus too. Regardless of his innocence or guilt, Diocletian executed Aper to avenge the fallen Emperor.
The army proclaimed Diocletian as their new Emperor, despite Carinus still ruling in the West. The two would ultimately meet in battle with Diocletian being victorious, ending the Caran dynasty.
Trivia
- It appears Numerian did not suffer a damnatio memoriae after his death like his brother did.