VALERIAN

died 260 Latin in full Publius Licinius Valerianus Roman emperor 253260. He was consul under Severus Alexander (emperor 222235) and played a leading role in inducing the Senate to risk support for Gordian I's rebellion against the emperor Maximinus (238). Valerian may have been one of the 20 consulars who successfully defended Italy against the Emperor. He is not again mentioned until the reign of Decius (emperor 249251). Under Gallus (emperor 251253) Valerian held a command on the Upper Rhine and was summoned to bring the northern armies to aid in the struggle against the rival emperor Aemilian. Valerian arrived too late to save Gallus but managed to avenge and succeed him. The surrender of the emperor Valerian to the Persian king Shapur, rock relief, AD As emperor he vigorously renewed Decius' persecution of the Christians, executing, among others, Bishop Cyprian of Carthage and Bishop Xystus (Sixtus II) of Rome. Recognizing that it was no longer possible for one emperor to control the whole empire, Valerian appointed his son Gallienus to rule the West while he marched east to repel the Persian invasion. But he was captured by the Persian king Shapur I in June 260 and died in captivity (see photograph).