The ancient Sibylline prophecies had foretold that the Roman Empire would last for 1000 years. As the time for the expected dissolution approached in the middle of the third century AD, the empire was lapsing into chaos, with seemingly interminable civil wars over the imperial succession. The western empire had seceded under a rebel emperor and the eastern empire was controlled by another usurper. Barbarians took advantage of the anarchy to kill and plunder all over the provinces. Yet within the space of just five years, the general, later emperor Aurelian had expelled all the barbarians from with the Roman frontiers, reunited the entire empire and inaugurated major reforms of the currency, pagan religion and civil administration.

His accomplishments have been hailed by classical scholars as those of a ‘superman’, yet Aurelian himself remains little known to a wider audience. His achievements enabled the Roman Empire to survive for another two centuries, ensuring a lasting legacy of Roman civilization for the successor European states. Without Aurelian, the ‘Dark Ages’ would probably have lasted centuries longer. This is a new, revised edition.

“Incorporating new material, British historian White has revised and expanded his 2006 life of Aurelian… White weaves into this story not only Aurelian’s life, but that of several other emperors as well, plus an ongoing discussion of the evolution of the Roman Army.”

“White’s account is supported by careful research, as demonstrated by extensive notes, some including interesting variant treatments of the evidence, and some very interesting appendices. Well written, The Roman Emperor Aurelian, one of a series on the Roman Emperors from Pen & Sword/Casemate, offers the lay reader an excellent picture of the Crisis of the Third Century and the life and work of Aurelian”

Well written, The Roman Emperor Aurelian, one of a series on the Roman Emperors from Pen & Sword/Casemate, offers the lay reader an excellent picture of the Crisis of the Third Century and the life and work of Aurelian, which can be read with profit by those with a more serious interest in thesubject as well