Aurelian

Aurelian was Roman emperor from 270 to 275 during the third-century crisis, when the empire had fragmented under military pressure and internal rebellion. A career soldier from the Danubian provinces, he came to power after a rapid succession of short-lived emperors.

Aurelian reunited the empire by defeating the Palmyrene kingdom of Zenobia in the east and the breakaway Gallic Empire in the west. He also began the great defensive walls around Rome and promoted the cult of Sol Invictus before being assassinated by members of his own staff.

Nick Holmes’ The Roman Revolution follows the pressure exerted by Sasanian Persia and northern peoples, the capture of Valerian, the formation of the Gallic and Palmyrene breakaway empires, and the efforts of Gallienus and Aurelian to preserve and reunify Roman territory.