Marcellus (usurper)

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Marcellus was a Western Roman usurper who probably rose against the Emperor Majorian in Gaul in 457 .

The only vague reference is to be found in Sidonius Apollinaris , who mentions a "Marcellian conspiracy to obtain the diadem" (de capessendo diademate coniuratio Marcelliana) . A person by the name of Marcellus was involved in the conspiracy, who can be identified several times in Gaul at the time. Although the text passage has been associated with Marcellinus on various occasions, the original wording and the historical context speak against this. According to Mathisen, it is the praefectus praetorio Galliarum 441–443 Marcellus.

The rebellion of Marcellus must have occurred either during the vacancy of the throne after the overthrow of Avitus in October 456 or in the first year of Majorian's reign, who was made emperor on April 1, 457. It is possible that the usurpation was initially preceded by an attempt to help the Gallor-Roman Avitus, who had been deposed by Ricimer and Majorian, to return to the throne. When Avitus died in January 457, Marcellus probably strived for the emperor himself, but failed.

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literature

  • Ralph W. Mathisen: Resistance and Reconciliation: Majorian and the Gallic Aristocracy after the Fall of Avitus. In: Francia . Volume 7, 1979, pp. 597-627 (there p. 598ff. )

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Marcellus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Western Roman usurper
DATE OF BIRTH 4th century or 5th century
DATE OF DEATH 5th century