The life of Probus
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Early Life
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Probus was born in the year 232 in Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior. Not much is known about his early life or the family he was born into. He served in the military during his youth, becoming a tribune during the reign of Valerian. Probus managed to advance himself within Rome's military, even attracting the attention of the Emperor Tacitus. Tacitus saw the potential in Probus and appointed him governor of the East. Tacitus died shortly after this appointment, leaving a power vacuum in Rome. Probus' soldiers declared him Emperor.
Tacitus' half brother Florianus was also proclaimed Emperor by his own men. Florianus managed to assume the role due to having the support of the armies stationed in the West of the Roman Empire. The Senate itself did support him as Emperor however. Florianus saw Probus as a usurper, despite the fact that both of them had been proclaimed ruler by their own soldiers at more or less the same time. Eventually Probus and Florianus met each other in Cilicia, modern day Turkey. Florianus commanded a larger army than Probus, but as his were western troops they were not accustomed to the hot climate and therefore were at a disadvantage. Probus was the more experienced military commander and avoided a direct battle, rather letting Florianus' troops succumb to the heat. Eventually a minor conflict seems to have occurred, with Probus securing a victory. While Florianus' forces were far from defeated, their will was broken and the foreign climate made things even worse. They decided to mutiny and kill Florianus, leaving Probus as sole Emperor of Rome. Probus immediately departed to the West to secure his position. Reign
Probus had an active reign. He was intent on getting Rome's military up to elite standards, even when no wars were being waged. During peacetime, he set the Roman army to work on restoring various provinces such as Gaul and Pannonia to their former glory after they had been devastated by years of invasion and civil war. The soldiers were responsible for planting vineyards and rebuilding roads.
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Bust of Probus. By Jastrow (2006), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1335728
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However the military did not enjoy this relatively easy lifestyle for long, as an Emperor from a military background Probus put a great deal of attention into putting down rebellions and military campaigns in the East. He waged a campaign in the Northern territories of the Roman Empire. He personally defeated the Alamanni and Longiones tribes in Gaul who had recently crossed the Rhine. The Franks and were also defeated during Probus' reign, bringing much of Gaul back into Roman hands.
While he was dominating in the West, Probus set his eyes upon the East. In 279 Probus engaged in a campaign against the Vandals who resided in Illyricum and Raetia. Meanwhile the Blemmyes tribes had succeeded in occupying Lower Egypt, after many decades of attempting to do so. Probus could not respond himself while he was busy battling the Vandals, so instead he dispatched generals to bring order to the region once more. His generals were ultimately successful and the Blemmyes were virtually wiped out. The region was in Roman hands once more and settlements and bridges were rebuilt and grain flowed back into the Roman Empire once again.
In 280-281, the last years of Probus' reign, he put down three separate usurpers; Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. Not much is known about why or how these individuals came to oppose Probus, but so many in such a short time suggests there was some unrest stirring in the Empire. Ultimately however the usurpers failed and Probus remained as Emperor.
While he was dominating in the West, Probus set his eyes upon the East. In 279 Probus engaged in a campaign against the Vandals who resided in Illyricum and Raetia. Meanwhile the Blemmyes tribes had succeeded in occupying Lower Egypt, after many decades of attempting to do so. Probus could not respond himself while he was busy battling the Vandals, so instead he dispatched generals to bring order to the region once more. His generals were ultimately successful and the Blemmyes were virtually wiped out. The region was in Roman hands once more and settlements and bridges were rebuilt and grain flowed back into the Roman Empire once again.
In 280-281, the last years of Probus' reign, he put down three separate usurpers; Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. Not much is known about why or how these individuals came to oppose Probus, but so many in such a short time suggests there was some unrest stirring in the Empire. Ultimately however the usurpers failed and Probus remained as Emperor.
Death & legacy
In 282 after having dealt with the usurpers, Probus travelled East once more to continue his campaigning. While at Sirmium in Pannonia Inferior Probus was killed by his own soldiers, possibly under the influence of his own Praetorian Prefect, Carus.
After Probus' death, Carus was proclaimed Emperor by the rest of the military that had been brought to the East.
After Probus' death, Carus was proclaimed Emperor by the rest of the military that had been brought to the East.
Trivia
- Probus defeated the Goths in battle while heading towards Rome after defeating Florianus, earning him the title of Gothicus.
- During his campaigning against the barbarian tribes in Gaul, Probus gained two more titles: Gothicus Maximinus and Germanicus Maximus.
- Probus died in the city of his birth.