ROMAN EMPERORS FROM THE SOIL OF TODAY'S SERBIA

Today's Sremska Mitrovica was the administrative center of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Here is a list of the most influential emperors from the area of ​​today's Serbia.

Trajan Decius (Gaius Messiah Quintus Trajan Decius)

Trajan Decius was the first Roman emperor born in Serbia around 201 in Budalija, near Sirmium - near today's Sremska Mitrovica.

The army elected him emperor in 249, and he died in his 50th year in the battle against the Goths.

He was the first Roman emperor to die in battle, after which he was soon proclaimed a deity.

Hostilian (Gaius Valens Hostilian Messianic Quintus Augustus)

Born around the year 230 in today's Sremska Mitrovica, Hostilian was the younger son of Trajan Decius.

After his father and brother were killed, and after Trebonia Gala was elected emperor by the army. Hostilian was granted the title of emperor and took over part of the government.

He ruled for only a year. He was the first emperor to die a natural death, more precisely from the plague.

Claudius the Gothic (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius Augustus)

Claudius the Gothic, was also born in the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire - today's Sremska Mitrovica.

He is known for ordering the execution of a Christian monk on February 14th, 269, who later became known as St. Valentine.

He died of the plague in early 270.

Quintil (Marcus Aurelius Claudius Quintil Augustus)

Quintil was the brother of Claudius Gothic. After the death of his brother, the army banned him as emperor.

There are versions of how he died: from killing himself to being killed by his army because of the discipline he tried to introduce.

Aurelian (Lucius Domitius)

Aurelian was born in the vicinity of Sirmium in 214, on a small rural estate. He was known as a supporter of Mithraism and the cult of the Invincible Sun, as well as a fiscal reformer.

During his reign, the Gallic Empire was returned to Rome. He ruled for five years, when he was killed by the Praetorian Guard on his way to Asia Minor, at a time when he was planning to conquer Mesopotamia.

Prob (Marcus Aurelius Prob August)

Prob ruled from 276 to 282. He was killed by his own army, because he made them dig canals on a hot summer day. Later, they repented and buried him with all the royal honors.

He is known for being the first to allow the grapevine to be planted outside Italy, on Fruska Gora, as well as near Smederevo on Zlatni brdo, where the autochthonous grape variety Smederevka was conceived.

Maximian (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximian Hercules Augustus)

Maximian was born near Sirmium around the year 250. Diocletian proclaimed him Caesar in 285, and the following year he became Augustus, equal to Diocletian. He ruled together with Diocletian from 286 to 305, when they abdicated together.

He returned to the throne in 310, however, he was overthrown by the legitimate ruler Constantine I, after which Maximian committed suicide.

Galerius (Gaius Galerius Valerije Maximian August)

Galerius was born and buried in Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad), near Zajecar, where he built most of the buildings whose remains we can still see today. He built this palace in the 3rd and 4th century for himself and his mother Romula, after whom he named it.

Although he was known as a great persecutor of Christians, he repented before his death and passed the Edict of Tolerance.

North II (Flavius ​​Valerius North Augustus)

He was born in Naisus, today's Nis. He ruled from 306 to 307, when Maxentius captured him and forced him to commit suicide.

Constantine I the Great (Flavius ​​Valerius Aurelius Constantine Augustus)

Constantine the Great was born in Nis, on February 27, 272, to father Constantius Chlorus and mother Helen. He is remembered as the greatest emperor of the late Roman Empire.

He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Europe and Christianity. He ruled from 306 to 337. He passed the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious equality and an end to the persecution of Christians.

He used this period of peace to build New Rome - Constantinople.

Licinius I (Gaius Valerius Licinianus Licinius Augustus)

Licinius I was also born near Felix Romuliana. Together with Constantine the Great, he passed the Edict of Milan and became co-ruler with it, even marrying his sister.

He waged two civil wars against Constantine: the first ended in peace, although Licinius suffered a heavy defeat, and the second, which was in 324, he lost.

He was captured and taken prisoner in Thessaloniki, and executed together with his son on Constantine's orders.
 

Constantius II (Flavius ​​Julius Constantius Augustus)

Constantius II was the middle son of Constantine the Great

He was appointed Caesar by his father and was given control of the entire east of the empire, while his two brothers received the rest. He was on the side of the Arian sect and after the Civil War he became the sole master of the empire. He died suddenly.
 

Jovian (Flavius ​​Jovian Augustus)

Jovian was born around 331 in Singidunum, today's Belgrade, in a peasant family. He ruled for a total of 236 days.

He died suddenly in his sleep, and the death of this ruler remained a veil of secrecy. The version that is generally accepted and that has gone down in history is that Jovian died from poisoning with bad coal, which burned the stove in his room.
 

Constantius III (Flavius ​​Constantius Augustus)

Constantius III was born in Naisus. He received the title of patrician due to his military merits. He achieved great military victories, however, he died in vain, after only a year spent on the throne.

His son Valentinian III was the last significant ruler of the Western Roman Empire.

Interesting facts: It is enough to mention about the benefits of this area for ancient Rome that emigrants from the area of ​​today's Serbia represent almost a fifth of all rulers of the Roman Empire.

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