The following is a list of usurpers in the Roman Empire —individuals who unsuccessfully claimed and/or attempted to usurp the throne of a ruling emperor (augustus). The ancient term was "tyrant" (), which had negative connotation in and of itself. Usurpation was common during the whole imperial era; virtually all imperial dynasties rose to power through usurpation and conspiracies. The "imperial office" established by Augustus never defined an stable system of succession, and emperors often had to rely solely on military power to survive.
In the Eastern Roman Empire (395–1453), rebellion and usurpation were so notoriously frequent (in the vision of the medieval West, where usurpation was rare) that the modern term "byzantine" became a byword for political intrigue and conspiracy. For usurpation in the Eastern Roman Empire, see List of Byzantine usurpers.
Usurpers who became legitimate emperors
The following individuals began as usurpers, but became the legitimate emperor either by establishing uncontested control of the empire or by confirmation of their position by the Senate or by the legitimate emperor. Emperors marked in bold are those who managed to secure the throne for themselves; all other emperors, unless noted, were murdered in office.
First civil war
Galba (68–69) Otho (69) Vitellius (69) Vespasian (69–79)
Second civil war
Pertinax (193) Didius Julianus (193) Septimius Severus (193–211)
Crisis of the Third Century
Macrinus and Diadumenian (217–218) Elagabalus (218–222), restored the Severan dynasty Maximinus I (235–238) Gordian I and Gordian II (238) Philip (244–249) Decius (249–251) Trebonianus Gallus (251–253) Aemilian (253) Valerian (253–260) ― captured by the Persians Claudius Gothicus (268–270) ― died of plague Quintillus (270) Aurelian (270–275) Florian (276) Probus (276–282) Carus (282–283) ― died in Persia Diocletian (284–305)
4th–5th centuries Constantine I (306–337) Maxentius (306–312) Alexander (308–310) Nepotianus (350) Magnentius (350–353) Vetranio (350) ― deposed and spared Julian II (360–363) Procopius (365–366) Magnus Maximus and Victor (383–388)
These last emperors of the West Empire were all accepted by the Senate but never recognized as colleagues by the Emperor of the East.
Constantine III and Constans II (407–411), recognized by Honorius Priscus Attalus (409–410) Joannes (423–425) Petronius Maximus (455) Avitus (455–456) Majorian (457-461) Libius Severus (461–465) ― natural death Olybrius (472) ― natural death Glycerius (473–474) ― deposed and spared Romulus Augustulus (475–476) ― deposed and spared
Unsuccessful usurpers or rebels 1st century rebels All "usurpers" began as rebels, but not all rebels claimed the imperial titles. These early figures rebelled against the emperor, but most likely did not claim the imperial title. CoinNameEmperorTenureLife details & notesRef"Pseudo-Agrippa" ClemensTiberius(14–37)AD 16Former slave of Agrippa Postumus, the grandson of Augustus. Pretended to be him and marched to Rome to claim the throne.Cassius Dio Roman History 57:16L. Arruntius Camillus ScribonianusClaudius(41–54)AD 42Consul in AD 32, appointed legate of Dalmatia in AD 41. He rebelled with the support of Vinicianus, but was killed within five days.L. Clodius MacerNero(54–68)Galba(68–69) May–October AD 68Rebelled against Nero and proclaimed himself propraetor; continued his revolt after his death, but was put to death by GalbaC. Nymphidius Sabinus June AD 68Nero's Praetorian prefect, plotted to usurp the throne after Nero's suicide, claiming to be the illegitimate son of Caligula. Killed by the Praetorian Guard as Galba approached Rome."Pseudo-Nero"Otho(69)AD 69In Achaia, modern Greece; the first Nero imposter.Titus(79–81)AD 79A rebel named Terentius Maximus who claimed to be Nero reborn; supported by the Parthians in Syria.Domitian(81–96)AD 88An obscure figure; supported by the Parthians.L. Antonius SaturninusDomitian(81–96)January AD 89Governor of Germania Superior, started a rebellion in Mainz. He was killed by Lappius Maximus.
2nd century CoinNameEmperorTenureLife details & notesRefC. Avidius CassiusMarcus Aurelius(161–180)April – July 175(3 months and 6 days, in Syria)Suffect consul in 166, governor of Syria. Declared himself emperor upon the rumor that Marcus had died, continued his revolt even upon learning that he was alive.C. Pescennius NigerSeptimius Severus(193–211)April 193 – April 194(1 year, in Antioch)Governor of Syria and former suffect consul. Proclaimed himself emperor after the murder of Pertinax and the elevation of Julianus. Killed by Septimius Severus while attempting to flee to Parthia.D. Clodius Albinus December 195 –19 February 197(1 year and 2 months, West)Governor of Britain and former suffect consul. Proclaimed emperor in April 193, but allied himself with Septimius Severus, who gave him the title of caesar (heir). Rebelled after learning of the appointment of Caracalla as Severus' new caesar. Killed at the Battle of Lugdunum.
3rd century CoinNameEmperorTenureLife details & notesVerusElagabalus(218–222)c. 218(Syria)Senator and commander of the Legio III Gallica; proclaimed emperor in Tyre.Gellius MaximusSon of a doctor; commander of the Legio IV Scythica.TauriniusSeverus Alexander(222–235)c. 232(Syria)Former suffect consul; proclaimed emperor against his will. Drowned himself in the Euphrates to avoid punishment.SeleucusGovernor in Moesia; mentioned by Polemius Silvius. Probably a descendant of king Antiochus IV of Commagene and Marcus Antonius.Ovinius CamillusFictitious usurper of the Historia AugustaMagnusMaximinus Thrax(235–238)late 235(in Germania)A patritian ex-consul; said to have been hailed emperor after Alexander's murder. Herodian suggests that he was actually incriminated.Herodian ( 240), History 7.1.Quartinuslate 235 / early 236(in Mesopotamia)Ex-consul; reluctantly hailed by troops loyal to Alexander. He was later killed by the same man who proclaimed him emperor.SabinianGordian III(238–244)240(Africa)Ex-consul and proconsul of Africa; killed by the governor of Mauretania.PacatianPhilip the Arab(244–249)c. 248 / 249(Danube)Commander in Moesia or Pannonia and a former consul; defeated by Decius and killed by his own soldiers shortly after. His rule came on (or shortly after) Rome's 1000th anniversary.Jotapianc. 249(Levant)A member of Near East nobility, perhaps related to the ancient kings of Commagene, claimed descent from Alexander the Great. Revolted for several months in Syria and Cappadocia in response to the heavy taxation policies of Priscus, Philip's brother and governor of the East. Like many, Jopatian was eventually killed by his own soldiers.Silbannacusc. 249 (?)(Gaul?)Only known for two coins, possibly an usurper in Gaul (or perhaps Rome). According to one view, he may be related to Marcia Otacilia Severa, Philip's wife.Sponsianusc. 249 (??)(Balkans?)Existence disputed, only known for a few coins found in Transylvania that reuse old Republican denarii.LicinianDecius(249–251)c. 251Briefly mentioned by Aurelius Victor; fictionalized as Valens Senior in the Historia Augusta. Defeated by the (future emperor) Valerian.Liber de Caesaribus 29.3.Priscusc. 251Governor of Macedonia, proclaimed himself emperor in Philippopolis during a siege by Goths.Uranius AntoninusValerian(253–260) 253 / 254(Syria)Born as Sampsiceramus, initially a priest of the cult of Elagabal, likely a descendant of Elagabalus. Proclaimed emperor after successfully defending Emesa from the Persian forces of Shapur I; fate unknown. Most likely the same "Uranius" said to have revolted against Severus Alexander.IngenuusGallienus(253–268) 260(Pannonia)Governor of Pannonia, proclaimed in Sirmium by the legions of Moesia after the capture of Valerian, defeated and killed and in Mursa.Regalianus 260(Pannonia)A native of Dacia, commander in Illyricum. Proclaimed emperor in Moesia but killed shortly after, perhaps by his own troops upon Gallienus' arrival.Macrianus Minor 260 – 261(in the East)Sons of Macrianus Major, Valerian's quartermaster general, who was proclaimed emperor by the praetorian prefect Balista but refused due to his age and health, instead proclaiming his two sons, both legates, as joint emperors and consuls. They quickly took over most of the East (Egypt, Syria and Asia) while Gallienus fought in the West. Both Macrianus were eventually defeated at Illyricum by Aureolus, while Quietus, the younger brother, was sieged by Odaenathus in Emesa with Ballista and killed.QuietusValens "Thessalonicus" 261(Achaia/Macedonia)Proconsul of Achaia, probably gained his nickname after defending Thessalonica. Proclaimed emperor during his confrontation against Piso, one of Macrianus' generals. Valens defeated him, but was killed by his own soldiers shortly after.Aemilian II 261 – 262(Egypt)A distinguished officer who supported the revolt of Macrianus, claimed imperial power after their deaths, probably to avoid punishment. Defeated by Aurelius Theodotus.Memor 262 (?)A mauri mentioned by Zosimus and Peter the Patrician ( 550 AD). Likely a follower of Macrianus, he may have never actually claimed imperial power.Aureolus268(Northern Italy)Native of Dacia and Gallienus' right hand man. Defeated the usurpers Ingenuus (260) and Macrianus (261), but later allied himself with Postumus against Gallienus. He proclaimed himself emperor following Gallienus' death, but was quickly killed by Claudius' troops after surrendering to him.Thirty TyrantsThirty-two pretenders who appear in the Historia Augusta, most of them fictitious. Gallic Empire (260–274)