born 0441; 218
died 268
Roman emperor who ruled jointly with his father, Valerian (253260), then alone (260268).
With the empire disintegrating under foreign invasions, the Senate made Gallienus co-emperor. He took charge of the western frontiers, winning a series of battles against the Goths and others. When the Persians devastated the East and his father died in captivity, Gallienus was left with only Italy and the Balkans. Later the Goths attacked anew; he was killed while trying to put down an insurgency. His reforms as emperor included the transfer of army command to professional equestrian officers, expansion of the cavalry, and an intellectual renaissance at Rome, discernible in its art and literature.