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46th Emperor of the Roman Empire
Reign 276
Full name Marcus Annius Florianus (from birth to accession);
Caesar Marcus Annius Florianus Augustus (as emperor)
Died 276
Place of death Tarsus, Cilicia[1]
Predecessor Tacitus
Successor Probus

Florianus (Latin: Marcus Annius Florianus Augustus;[2] died 276), also known as Florian, was Roman Emperor for a few months in 276.


Hercules crowning Florianus.[3]

Florian was reportedly a maternal half-brother to the Emperor Marcus Claudius Tacitus.[4] Appointed Praetorian Prefect in Tacitus's army in his campaign against the Goths,[5] according to the available sources, he was chosen by the army in the West to succeed Tacitus in 276, without the Roman Senate consensus.[6] However he minted coins bearing the "SC" legend, thus showing some bonds to the Senate.[7]

Probus Rebellion[edit]

Florian was fighting the Heruli when the army in the East elected Probus.[8] Florian had the support of Italia, Gaul, Hispania, Britain, Africa, and Mauretania.[9] The two rival emperors met in battle in Cilicia; Florianus had the larger army, but Probus was a more experienced general and avoided a direct clash.[10] Florian's western army was not accustomed to the hot, dry eastern climate,[11] and Probus likely secured a small victory. Florian was assassinated by his own troops near Tarsus once their confidence was lost.[12] He died in September 276, having been emperor for only eighty-eight days.[13]

A family of the Brandenburg nobility called von Blumenthal claimed descent from Florianus in a fanciful legend which says that after his death his sons fled over the Alps and introduced viticulture to the north Germans.


Primary sources[edit]

Secondary sources[edit]

  • Mc Mahon, Robin, "Florian (276.D.)", De Imperatoribus Romanis, (2000)


  1. ^ Canduci, pg. 101
  2. ^ Jones, pg. 367
  3. ^ This coin celebrates the AETERNITAS AVG, the eternal life of the emperor. However, Florianus ruled only eighty-eight days.
  4. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Taciti, 17:4
  5. ^ Jones, pg. 367
  6. ^ Southern, pg. 127
  7. ^ McMahon, www.roman-emperors.org/florian.htm
  8. ^ Historia Augusta, Vita Probi, 10:1
  9. ^ Southern, pg. 127
  10. ^ Gibbon, Ch. 12
  11. ^ Southern, pg. 128
  12. ^ McMahon, www.roman-emperors.org/florian.htm
  13. ^ Canduci, pg. 101

External links[edit]

Media related to Florianus at Wikimedia Commons

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Marcus Claudius Tacitus
Roman Emperor
Succeeded by